Warnings: Brief mention of Deceit, and very brief moment of self-deprecation
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"To know that you do not know is the best. To think you know when you do not is a disease. Recognising this disease as a disease is to be free of it."- Lao Tzu

Patton feels uneasy.

Yes, the disagreement between Virgil and Roman has been settled, but there is something else that has been worrying him for a while. Or perhaps, someone else. Logan has been a lot more quiet than usual since Deceit's appearance, even with all of the drama between their friends, he has been off. Distant, maybe? Unlike himself.

Preparing breakfast for him family as usual, Patton wonders whether he should ask the logical facet about his odd change in behaviour or allow him to initiate that conversation. Would he, though? He may be the physical embodiment of Thomas's logic, but he's also a extremely stubborn man; hating to admit when he's wrong, or when something is wrong with him. And would he want Patton of all people to talk to him? Emotions were the 'bane of his existence', after all.

His thoughts are cut off by an exaggerated yawn that sounds from the doorway– he doesn't even need to turn around to know who it is.

"Good morning!" Roman greets him enthusiastically, plopping himself down in his usual spot at the table and leaning back comfortably in his seat. "Did you sleep well last night, amigo? You look absolutely dashing this morning!"

Though he knows Roman has only complimented him because he is cooking his breakfast, Patton beams at his friend and thanks him, dishing up a few hash browns and four rashers of bacon onto a plate before placing it on the table in front of him. "Hope you're hungry!"

Before he can skip back to the stove, Roman grabs his arm gently and stops him in his tracks. "I owe you my life, Patton. I believed that I would perish without your wonderful breakfast, yet here you are, stepping in with your outstanding cooking skills and saving my life."

At his friend's usual dramatics, Patton giggles and pats the hand wrapped around his forearm, pleased to see Roman's eyes glowing with the kind of mirth that manages to fill his chest with warmth. Maybe, just maybe, things will be okay. It might take a little bit of time for the storm of Deceit to blow over, but it would pass. He turns back to the stove and smiles a little wider when he hears a soft scrape come from behind him– socked feet dragging lazily across the tiled floor. Virgil.

"Morning, kiddo! Got some bacon, hash browns, and eggs here for you." His greeting gets a gets a barely audible grunt as a response, which is what usually happens in the morning. It's routine. And Patton appreciates the normality in the atmosphere. He hears Virgil practically collapse back in his usual spot between Patton and Logan, or the empty space where Logan would usually be. The sound only makes him smile more. "Did you get enough sleep last night? I sure hope you didn't stay up too late."

Virgil grumbles something about 'stupid tumblr' keeping him awake with its 'stupid humour' and Patton chuckles, bringing his portion of food to the table. "We're going to have to find a way to help you sleep, Virge. I worry about you sometimes, you know?"

The anxious facet hums quietly, but sits up, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "Sorry, Dad. Thanks for breakfast, it looks great."

"Like always," Roman chirps in joyfully.

With a grateful smile, Patton nods to them and dishes up his own portion of food, keeping Logan's on the counter whilst he does so. The logical persona is usually up before Virgil, but has days where he does feel too exhausted to get out of bed, so Patton takes his time in dishing up the rest of the food. If he doesn't come downstairs by the time Patton has finished clearing up the pans and trays, then he'll sink down to his room to check on him himself.

Five minutes. Ten. Fifteen and Patton's done. He excuses himself after covering both his and Logan's plates with kitchen towels to keep the food warm and edible, and sinks down to Logan's room. It's too quiet when he gets there. Yes, since Logan should be asleep, it's normal for the room to be silent. But the thing is, Logan isn't asleep. He's awake and sitting at his desk. For a moment, Patton wonders whether he slept there, or whether he's slept at all, but pegs that question for later. "Logan...? I've got breakfast on the table, but-"

Logan straightens up abruptly and gathers his papers up into a pile. "Ah, Patton! My apologies, I should have made an appearance a lot earlier than this. I simply got caught up in some work."

There's a brief moment of silence before Patton carefully makes his way over to his friend, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. The pressure is almost nonexistent and yet, Logan's body flinches violently. He inhales deeply and shakily adjusts his glasses, clearly trying to pretend that he was okay. "Buddy, you need to take a few deep breaths and then tell me what's wrong. I can see that you haven't been acting like yourself."

After a second of Logan staring down at his desk and twisting his tie between his trembling fingers, he sighs and seems to nod in agreement. "You're right. I'm sorry I haven't talked to you about it, Patton." He pauses again and turns to face his friend, still sitting in his seat. "As you may have already guessed, I have been... I have been stressing myself out over Deceit's appearance. Not because he showed up because we have always known he's here, but I just don't understand how he successfully managed to impersonate you without us realising it."

Patton smiles sadly at his companion and takes a few steps forward, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezing it. "Logan, I know you like understanding everything about the world, but that's impossible. And that is something you know, isn't it?" When the logical trait doesn't reply, Patton knows he's right. "You might feel guilty for not recognising that it wasn't me, but... it's okay. It's okay."

Pausing for a moment, Logan taps his fingertips against the dark wooden surface of his desk and manages to flash Patton a quick smile of gratitude before sighing and leaning back in his chair. "Thank you, but my problem isn't only the guilt I feel, though that was one of the issues. Now my main problem is with my fear of the ocean, or thalassophobia," he stressfully chews his bottom lip and grimaces at the sharp pain that shoots through it as he bites down too hard, "it subtly connects to a fear of the unknown, which would obviously link to my dislike of not understanding how I was not aware that Deceit was pretending to be you. I mean, I understand that Deceit, as suggested by his name, can use his abilities as a Side to deceive, but I just... I just don't understand how his obvious replica of your mannerisms could have fooled me so badly."

"Oh," Patton mumbles and clasps his hands together. He doesn't completely understand how the two situations correlate, but knows how afraid Logan is of the ocean. How can he make him feel better about the situation? For a second or two, Patton merely stands there and twists the sleeve of his cat hoodie in his fingers, but soon he thinks of something that he knows will make Logan at least a little bit happier. "Well, isn't that just something to learn more about? You love learning about stuff!"

A familiar spark of intrigue lights up Logan's russet eyes, only encouraging Patton to continue with his point. "I know it's not a really happy topic to learn about, but you'd know more about Deceit and the Dark Sides. And maybe you'd even figure out why Deceit was able to trick you all into thinking he was me!"

It takes a few seconds, but soon enough, it's clear that Logan is beginning to agree with what he's saying and the gears in his brain have started to turn. He's finally allowing himself to relax. "That... That is true. And perhaps I could help to put Virgil's mind at ease by learning more about it? He has been sleeping in the Common Room for a while now, as you've likely noticed, and I think the reason why is--"

"Deceit," Patton cuts him off, though he instantly feels guilty for doing so, "or just the Dark Sides in general."

"Correct."

They both fall into a tense silence until Logan breaks it with a soft sigh and the quiet sound of his glasses being adjusted. "We can figure this out, I'm sure. Or, at least, I am now that you have reassured me as such." With a smile, he meets Patton's eyes. "Thank you. I appreciate your kindness and optimism. You truly are a metaphorical light in the metaphorical darkness, Patton."

This compliment leaves Patton's face aching with a grin and warm with a delicate pink flush; he absolutely loves being complimented by the logical facet, especially since it's quite a rare occurrence. "Thank you, Logan! I'm so happy you're feeling better. I'll always be here to help if you need a little positivity in your life, I pinky promise!"

Logan's smile widens for a second before nerves kick in and it fades, leaving his head bowed down at the floor and his gaze flickering rapidly at different objects around his room. "Patton, I was wondering if- Well, if you would be okay with receiving and offering a... hug?"I

Immediately, Patton's eyes twinkle with delight and he nods vigorously-- Logan has never been one to offer physical affection, let alone ask for it! "Of course I would, Logan."

The embrace is a little awkward and perhaps stiff at first, but Patton soon melts into it, pleasantly surprised at how warm Logan is. Meanwhile, Logan is secretly relishing the comfort and support of Patton's arms around his shoulders, sighing gently into the sky-blue sleeve of his counterpart's shirt. The hug isn't too tight or suffocating, but it's strong and reassuring, which is just what Logan needs.

And he's happy that, though he will likely always feel too awkward to say this out loud, Patton knows his supportive personality is appreciated. But if there is ever a time where Patton doubts this, Logan will swallow his pride and offer the amount of easement that the moral persona's mere presence radiates.

That is something he does know.