10:18am

A d o p t i o n  t i m e

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"You sure you want to meet them?" Thomas questioned his son who sat opposite him on the coffee table. Peter smiled lightly and nodded, playing with the ends of his sleeves. "Yeah, they're just you, right?" Thomas chuckled and shrugged, glancing at the spaces where each of his sides stand. "I guess so" he finally agreed and stood up, Peter followed and waited patiently beside him.

"Ready?" Thomas looked down at Peter who nodded and bobbed on his feet in excitement but also nervousness. With a wave of his hand, four men popped up in his living room, all looking like Thomas but with slightly different features. Peter didn't expect it to happen so suddenly, which was why he flinched and hid halfway behind his dad.

Thomas giggled and wrapped an arm around his shoulders encouragingly. "Don't be scared" Thomas soothed, then pointed to the side on the far left. "That's Patton" as he introduced him, Patton lifted his hand and waved happily, a grin prominent on his face. "Hey, kiddo" Peter shyly waved back, earning a coo from the side with a cardigan laid on his shoulders.

"Thats Roman" Thomas carried on, gesturing to a very regal looking side who bowed gracefully in Peter's direction. "Greetings, Peter!" The fifteen year old giggled, slowly coming out from behind Thomas but still a little shy. "That's Virgil" He then pointed to a side who looked the complete opposite from Roman, with dark clothes and bangs across his eyes. Peter tilted his head and smiled sweetly, all Virgil did was lift one hand and murmur 'sup'.

"And that's Logan" Thomas finally finished on the side to the far right. Peter looked around Thomas to stare at him, noticing he had the same glasses as Patton, but looked much more professional, with ironed clothes and a tie down his chest. Peter waved. "Salutations, Peter" Logan greeted, lips straightened into a flat line. He didn't sound so friendly. Biting his lip, he looked up at his dad who smiled and chuckled reassuringly.

"Don't worry, he likes you"

Peter smiled at Logan again who managed a quirk of his lips in a sort-of smile. It was good enough for him!

"Why don't you go say hello?" Thomas murmured, slowly pushing him in Patton's direction. Peter finally drifted away, shuffling across the carpet until he stood before Patton who was still grinning happily. It was so contagious Peter found himself grinning back. "Hi..." he whispered, and Patton nearly died on the spot. "Awe!" He squealed, clasping his hands together. "You're so cute!" He gushed, then opened his arms out for a hug.

Peter jumped aboard the proposal, quickly stepping forward and wrapping his arms around Patton's waist, hiding his face in his chest. Patton giggled and hugged him back tightly, kissing the crown of his head. "I like your hugs" Peter murmured, tilting his head to the side before so his words wouldn't be muffled. Patton laughed and held him even tighter, "I'm glad, Kiddo"

He was a little reluctant to let him go, but he had to go greet the others. Peter sent him one more smile before moving to Roman who grinned and held his hand, kissing the back of it. Peter giggled, eyes sparkling. "Hi" he said with a little more confidence, lowing his arms back down to his sides after Roman let go. "Hello, you" Roman mused, "if you couldn't tell, I'm the best side" he winked. Peter laughed and nodded his head in agreement. "You are"

This made Roman glow and send a wicked grin in Virgil's direction. The side merely rolled his eyes. "Now, before you go" Roman carried on, "I must ask; which team do you swing for?"

"Oh my god" Thomas whispered, holding a hand to his face. Peter cocked his head to the side, confused for a moment until he realised what he meant. "Oh!" He chirped, then shook his head. "I don't swing for anyone"

Roman's eyebrows rose slightly, "aromantic?"

Peter nodded, scared for a moment they wouldn't be as accepting as originally planned, but Roman's growing grin calmed him down. "That is wonderful!" Roman gushed, "looks like we won't have to worry about you choosing the wrong person, for you won't choose at all!" Peter laughed, he liked Roman.

Moving onto Virgil, Peter bit his lip, gazing at the side who shuffled back slightly, his eyes gazing anywhere but him. "Um...hi?" He spoke timidly, Virgil was different from Patton and Roman, he didn't know what to do. Virgil cleared his throat, "sup" he murmured, still staring at the floor intently. Peter glanced at Thomas for some help.

Thomas smiled and crossed the room to stand beside him, "Virgil, aren't you going to even look at him?"

Virgil swallowed and looked at Thomas for a moment before finally meeting Peter's gaze. The boy still looked happy, but worried, incase he'd do something wrong. Virgil sighed, hiding his hands in his pockets. "Sorry" He murmured, but Peter hurriedly shook his head. "It's okay! I'm shy, too" he giggled. Virgil chuckled quietly, "more than shyness, kid"

Peter licked his lips in thought, "anxiety?" He suggested. Virgil nodded his head. Peter smiled and lit up, "I have that too!" He spoke with a little too much excitement for the subject of conversation, "but not with meeting people. If someone raises their voice I could fall into an attack, my therapist said it was PTSD from..." he drifted, glancing up at Thomas. "From what I'm sure you already know?" He offered, and Virgil nodded with a frown.

"I'm okay" Peter reassured, then reached forward and drifted his hand down Virgil's jacket. "I like it" he concluded, then turned to Logan who was right beside the banister. "Hey" Peter finally felt comfortable with them all. "Hello" Logan responded, straightening his tie. "You must know I am different from the others" he began, "I do not feel. I despise emotions and I would much prefer to read than be in other's company. However, if you need help with school work, I am well informed with every subject, so do not feel afraid to ask" he finished, crossing his arms over his chest. Peter giggled.

"I like to read, too" he nodded, then; "I'll be sure to come to you if I ever need a hug!" With that he turned and landed back in the spot Thomas stands. Logan's eyes widened, perplexed. The other sides giggled, knowing Logan was utterly confused.

"Me?" He finally found his voice, "I told you I do not do emotions-"

Peter gasped, turning to Logan again. "You can be my mom!"

This made everyone in the room laugh and Logan physically recoil. "What!?"

"Thomas and Patton are my dad's, Roman and Virgil are my friends, and you are my mom!" Peter explained, giggling lightly. "We are all apart of Thomas. We are all your dads!" He exasperated.

"No we're not" Virgil disagreed, "yes, can you imagine Virgil being a dad?"

Virgil glared at Roman, "I wouldn't trust you with a seventeen year old"

Roman gasped, glaring back, "I am very responsible!" And that was how the two fell into an argument. Logan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Peter looked between the two with amusement gleaming in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Kiddo" Patton reassured, giving Peter a side hug. "They'll stop soon"

"Can I stop them?" Peter questioned, looking between his dads. Thomas looked at Patton who shrugged and allowed him to do whatever he wanted. He walked closer then looked at Logan, "Hey, Lo! Don't you think these two should kiss?" He spoke loud enough for the two he was referring to could hear. They both froze, blushes raising on their cheeks at the suggestion. 

"I suppose I will have to remind you quite frequently I do not know anything about emotions-" he cut himself off when he noticed Patton holding a finger to his lips, indicating for him to shut up. He did so.

Peter winked at the two sides, "stop arguing" he whispered, then fell back into place beside Thomas who was chuckling at his sides flustered but silent states.

"I think I should explain what they are" Thomas cleared his throat and pointed at Patton, "Patton is my morality, my knowledge of right and wrong, while also holding my emotions, sadness, happiness, excitement, joy, all of them!" Peter nodded to show he understood, leaning into Patton's embrace after the side opened his arms again. "Roman is my creativity and self-confidence. He helps me create ideas for my videos, songs, scripts, while also keeping my ego up - he is also my 'romantic side' I guess but he isn't much help" Roman gasped in offence, holding a hand over his heart.

"Awh, Ro, I'm sure you could woo anyone with your romance! Especially people called Virgil!"

That set the two off again in another flustered state. "Virgil, as you guessed, is my anxiety. My flight or fight reflexes. He makes sure I stay safe while also forcing me to stay home from parties" he ended a little solemnly. Virgil shrugged. "I'm sure he's doing his best" Peter sent him a smile and Virgil actually..smiled a little back.

"And Logan is my logic! My knowledge of everything I know. He encourages me to keep to a schedule and helps me to not forget important tasks. He also doesn't like emotions but I'm sure he made that clear"

Peter nodded, he did. "Love you, mom" he called, noticing Logan's conflict on his face. Does he like it or does he not? Peter knew he liked it and found his confusion amusing.

"There are more but I think these four will do for now" Thomas finished, and Peter smiled at them all. He didn't realise he'd be so lucky when he was adopted by Thomas.

A few weeks after meeting the sides, as promised, Peter hasn't told anybody, but has spent a lot of time with them. Only when they all appeared in the living room, of course. The only side he has been alone with was Patton when Thomas was cooking and the other sides were busy in his mind. They cuddled on the couch and watched television.

However, when Peter realised he could sink down with the sides and also appear in Thomas's mind, he knew he was definitely going to use this to his advantage to get closer with them all. After Thomas gave him permission, Patton and he disappeared into his mind. Peter doesn't think he'll ever get over the shock of it all.

"Where's Virgil?" Peter asked after letting go of Patton "he should be in his room! The door with the darkest coloured wood" Peter nodded and hurried up the staircase, walking down the everlasting hallway. The mind seemed to know where he wanted to go so basically led him to Virgil's room. He knew when to stop, so he did, and turned to his left, face to face with dark wood accented with purple.

Lifting his hand, he knocked on the wood. A little while later it opened, revealing a surprised Virgil with headphones around his neck. "Uh...Peter?" He waved, "Hey, Virgil!" He then greeted, glancing behind him into his room. It's dark. He doesn't like dark. He took a step back, but kept his smile. "Wanna hang out?"

This surprised Virgil once again. "Hang out? With me? Me and you? You and me?"

Felix nodded. "Yeah, we're friends, aren't we?"

"Y-yeah!" Virgil hurriedly agreed, "I just-thought you'd..chose someone else over me" he shrugged. Peter frowned and reached forward, hugging himself against Virgil's chest. "I like you just as much as the others, V" he reassured, then let go and skipped down the hallway. "Come on! We can hang out in the beanbag room!" The beanbag room being a room solely filled with beanbags.

Virgil felt his chest blossom with what Peter had said. He was really anxious before Thomas met Peter the first time - the prospect of living with a child freaked him out, and the fact said child might've freaked out over the sides. Still, it went better than he could've ever expected, and would be forever grateful.

Leaving his headphones in his room he closed the door and appeared in the room Peter was rushing to, surprising the boy who opened the door to find him in there. Still, he was smiling nonetheless. "There's actually a reason I chose you to hang out with" Peter admitted after closing the door and flopping onto the beanbag beside Virgil.

"I do want to spend time with you but I...I was just anxious. A teacher rose their voice in the hallway outside of my last lesson and ever since I felt like I couldn't calm down and I didn't want to worry anyone else which is why I came to you because you have anxiety and I thought you would know how to help I know what to do but I feel like I can't do it and-"

"Peter" Virgil cut him off, holding onto his shoulders. Peter met his gaze. "Breathe" his voice was low and strong, like a command Peter couldn't help but follow through with. The two breathed in deeply and exhaled for a few minutes until Peter could feel like he was in control again. "I learnt how to hide it" he admitted, now resting his head on Virgil's chest after the two laid down on the beanbags. "Because my old parents didn't like it. I guess I should stop, I just don't like worrying people" he explained, holding Virgil's hand.

"Eh, Pat's the same" Virgil admitted, "but I get it. Worrying people is the worst. But, we're all here for you, alright? Even mom would drop anything to help" Peter laughed, rolling onto his stomach and staring up at Virgil's face, amused. "You see him as a mom, too, don't you?"

Virgil snorted and stared at the ceiling. "I think we all do. Apart from Pat, he sees him as something else" with that tone of voice Peter instantly knew what he meant. "So I have two ships" he mumbled, laying back down on Virgil's chest. The anxious side was grateful, for Peter couldn't see his cheeks twinged with pink.

The next few days Peter returned to Virgil's door and the two spent a lot of time in the beanbag room, talking about the past, admitting things they haven't told anyone else before, and just bonding until they felt so comfortable around each other they could just sit in silence and cuddle. Sometimes they even shared memes together.

"Tomorrow I think I'm going to bond with mom" Peter broke the silence in the room. Virgil looked up from his phone to gaze at Peter who was currently writing in his note book. "We can explore the library together" He then smiled, looking up at Virgil. "Is that okay?" Virgil nodded hurriedly in agreement. "Yeah, but one thing about mom" Virgil shifted in his beanbag so he faced Peter more.

"He really wants you to like him, but he's incredibly awkward around teenagers and children, so he'll probably mess up and yada yada...but he cares about you, even if he doesn't show it" Peter smiled at his little rant, knowing exactly what he meant. He and Logan haven't hung out much since they first met, but whenever they do he is pretty awkward and sometimes very robotic, so Peter hoped to bring him out of his shell a bit and lessen the nervousness.

The next day, the mind took him to Logan's room. He knocked on the door and waited, hoping Logan wasn't too busy. Luckily, the door opened and Logan stared at Peter with a little surprise. "Ah, Peter" he opened the door wider, pushing his tie closer to his neck. Peter noticed. "What can I do for you?"

Glancing behind him, Peter noticed how his room wasn't as dark as Virgil's. Still, he wanted to go see the library. "Come with me, mom! I wanna see the library!" He encouraged, holding out his hand towards Logan who tensed up a little. He looked behind him at his work, but found he prioritised Peter over it, something he doesn't do for many.

"Okay" he finally agreed, letting Peter take his hand and head down the hallway. "It is in here" Logan gestured to the room with a set of grand, double doors. Peter awed over them before he pushed the one on the left open, holding it for Logan who slipped in behind him and thanked him quietly.

"Wow" Peter breathed, slowly spinning in circles to take everything in. The ceiling went up really high, with different floors holding balconies that overlooked the ground floor. "There are so many books!" He yelled, voice bouncing and echoing off the walls. "Where are the good ones?" He then questioned Logan who opened and closed his mouth for a moment, contemplating it.

"Well, I do enjoy Agatha Christie" Peter cocked his head, biting his lip. "I don't" he admitted, which made Logan wilt. He basically had nothing in common with the boy. Peter noticed and frowned, stepping over and holding Logan's hand. "Mom?"

He looked down at the boy who smiled and leaned up, hugging him tightly. "Love you" He murmured, leaning back before Logan could do anything. "I'll find something, then we can read together" Peter settled then turned on his heel and dashed through the bookcases. Logan was stuck to the ground for what felt like the longest time, unable to comprehend the fact he was hugged.

Peter must actually like him.

That made his heart warm. And usually he would hate it but he actually smiled over it. He didn't realise how much having a child would improve...everything.

So, he set off too, trying to find a book when Peter's head popped around the corner, holding up a book he was interested in. "Read to me?" He asked a little sheepishly. Logan agreed and the two found a little nook between the book cases to sit and read. Peter comfortable on a beanbag (after Logan summoned one) while the logical side took a seat on a wooden chair.

Then, Logan began to read, and Peter smiled, staring at the ceiling and hugging a teddy (one he found in the library) to his chest. Logan would glance over at him every so often, his smile widening each time. Around half an hour later, Logan noticed his eyes were closed, and slowly stopped reading the sentence. Making a bookmark appear on their page, he rested the book on the table and scooped Peter up, appearing in the real world.

He could hear Thomas laughing with his friends downstairs, thankfully he manifested in Peter's room. Laying him down on his bed, he drew his blanket to his chest and disappeared, finding himself in his room, happy that Peter decided to come to him that day.

And, with Virgil, the same thing occurred. For awhile Peter would go to Logan's room and the two would spend a few hours in the library, either talking, reading, or reading to each other. Logan has never bonded like this with anyone in the mind, for everyone else didn't really enjoy reading like he did - so to have someone like Peter really improved his mood everyday.

"I've already bonded with Patton and Roman" Peter spoke up, closing his book after sliding the bookmark between the pages. Logan looked up from his own, closing it too when he realised Peter wanted to start conversation. "And Thomas said there were other sides. Who are they?" Logan tensed up a little, closing his tie to his neck.

"Well, there are many" Logan admitted, "a lot haven't agreed to being shown in videos due to the disinterest of it, the rest simply cannot be bothered to manifest in real life. However, there is one side that does often appear in real life, one you have not met, but I would not suggest talking to him alone" Logan advised, but Peter didn't like his explanation. He drew his eyebrows together and asked what he meant.

"I mean the side is...bad, he is a bad side, and I do not want him to hurt you in any way, or trick you, or...deceive you" Logan explained. Peter sook his head.

"But that doesn't make sense" he frowned, "if Thomas is a good person, how can any part of him be bad? If Thomas doesn't activity go out and deceive people, why would this aspect of him do so?" Logan sighed and tapped on the cover of his book, quickly realising this was becoming confusing fast for the teenager.

"Us aspects are Thomas, yes, we are apart of him, we all make him up, but we are also amplified when we are alone. Roman, for example, is very dramatic, very camp, and boisterous, but Thomas isn't. That is because Roman is a small part of him, so even if Thomas doesn't find pleasure in deceiving people, that doesn't mean the certain aspect of him alone doesn't enjoy it" Peter leaned back in the chair, pushing his lips to the side in thought. Finally, he smiled again at Logan.

"Whoever this aspect is isn't evil. If nothing in Thomas is evil, then he isn't. He might enjoy lying to people, but technically he's still a good 'person' if he is apart of a good person" Peter stood up and tucked his book under his arm. "Don't judge my arguments it's all I have!" Peter laughed, hugging Logan from behind and kissing his head.

"I love you, mom. Come to me if you need me" Peter murmured before giving Logan one more award-winning smile, disappearing out of the library and down the never ending hallway minds. Logan sighed but smiled, anyway. "Deceit?" He called and suddenly the side appeared before him opposite the round table he sat at.

"You can meet him now"

A grin washed over Deceit's face, and didn't stay for another second before he disappeared, presumably to find the boy who was admittedly trying to find him.

Peter hummed as he skipped through the mind, glancing at every door he passed by, but his gut told him none were this 'deceiving' sides room. He contemplated asking a side, but suddenly he stopped, and something caught his eye. A black door patterned with gold. Smiling, he knocked and waited only for a moment.

"Hello, Peter" a dark voice murmured from behind the door that opened a crack. Peter took a small step back. "I totally haven't been awaiting you" the voice spoke again, and suddenly the door whipped open, revealing the side Peter had wanted to meet. The boy gazed at the new side closely, taking in the snake scales on the side of his face and neck. He wore a hat and a cape with yellow gloves - Peter thought he looked amazing.

"Hey" Peter smiled, "you're the new side I haven't met...I'm Peter" he introduced.

"Peter" the side spoke, waving his hands through the air with an airy touch. "I love your name" he added in a tone that made Peter not want to believe him. "What's yours?" Peter asked, and the side smirked.

"I'm Deceit" he gestured to himself, "would you like to come in? I have someone else you can meet" without giving Peter enough time to answer Deceit trailed back into his room. Peter tensed - it was dark, really dark, darker than Virgil's room. Still, he'd feel terrible if he left or refused, so he slowly shuffled inside, yelping when the door closed by itself.

"Deceit?" Peter fearfully called out, clutching his book tightly. "Please come out. I really hate the dark" Peter admitted, back pressed against the wall. Suddenly, the room lit up in a soft yellow glow, revealing a bedroom. Peter relaxed a bit, smiling appreciatively at Deceit who slowly walked over to him with a tilted head.

"Peter..." he murmured, glancing to the side. "I don't say this often, but I'm sorry, I truly did forget about your past and I..." he sighed, "I like living up to the name 'bad side' as you can tell" he smiled a little, shrugging. He didn't really mean to scare Peter, just wanted a little reveal to show off his pet python. "Hey, it's alright" Peter reassured, stepping closer and rubbing his arm.

"You can be..." Peter drifted, "you can be my brother" he settled without much contemplation, he just felt it was right. "Patton is my dad, alongside Thomas, Roman and Virgil are my friends, really good friends! Logan is my amazing mom and you are my favourite brother" Peter giggled, poking his chest when he referred to him.

Deceit found himself relaxing in Peter's presence, especially after that. "Brother isn't too bad" Deceit shrugged, then turned and glided over to his bed. "Want to see my surprise?"

Nodding eagerly, Peter hurried over, gasping when a head of a snake appeared from under the bed. They were really big, too, but beautiful. Taking instant trust, Peter knelt down and reached out, stroking the pythons head. "Her name is Blossom" Deceit introduced, and Peter cooed.

"Hi, Blossom" Peter smiled, then looked up at Deceit.

"I wish I met you both sooner"

Deceit had a smile on his face for the rest of the day, and all the sides agreed Peter was the best thing to ever happen to them.

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11:01pm