AN//:Third Sunday in a row? Absolutely! I even updated "Because I Can"

Also Innerworks is going to be 4 on Monday like ahhhhhh!

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Roman woke with a groan.

His eyes were gummy and his spun in disorientation. To make things worse, his entire body felt sore and his throat was parched beyond reason.

Sighing, he drags himself into a sitting position and after a few minutes he musters up enough of an effort to get moving and get dressed.

As much as he wanted to stay in bed, he was a Royal of his word; seeing as it is the 'next morning' Roman has to go check on his brother.

----

Princey pops up before the Yellow door and he knocks-because he isn't a heathen thank you-

"Come in", calls a tired muffled voice.

When The Prince walks in he finds an exhausted looking Deceit with a very comfortable Duke snuggled up around his middle, quite frankly dead to the world.

"Uh..you alright?"

"I've been better,'' murmured the Elder Side behind a yawn. Deciet's hat was strewn in between the corner of the wall and bed, leaving his usual coif locks curled messily and on full view. Having stayed in the same clothes overnight, his caplet was half on and everything was thoroughly crumpled. Remus was also still clutching his glove, though the Serpentine Side honestly didn't look like he cared- as a matter of fact, he looked ready to drop.

"He woke up a few times because of nightmares, so I stayed up with him and kept watch"

"Ah, that would explain the bags under your eyes. What is this, three days you've stayed awake now?"

The other shrugs, closing his eyes, or maybe his eyes were "...something like that..."

He opens them a smidge when Roman moves closer to them and places a hand on his brother's back, checking on his core. "Stable", the Prince whispers.

Deceit sighs, half in relief and half holding back another yawn. "...good..."

He closes his eyes again, not even bothering to open them when he feels Roman place a hand to his chest to check on his core.

"...just in case", he says, "it is possible for my brother to have stolen some of your core energy...but it doesn't look like he did, yours is stable too"

"...hnn..."

The Tertiary Personality frowns, then places his hand on the Elder's forehead.

"You sure you're not getting sick too?"

"...no...", breathes out the other, steadily slipping from consciousness.

"Mhm, and yet you're following my hand"

True to the Prince's word, the other Side was indeed leaning to the touch.

"...warm..." he murmured. His breathing slowed and steady- a sure fire sign that the Deceptive Side was actually asleep.

"Ah, of course", mumbles Roman as he takes in the sight of both of the sleeping Dark Sides. Sighing, he rolls his eyes fondly and conjures up a Yellow quilt. It was thin enough to prevent overheating but just perfect for keeping those two warm.

With that he turned to leave, figuring that the small gift would be appreciated by Deceit; a token of appreciation for taking care of his crazy brother and not leaving him trapped alone with those beasts.

The sound of shifting made him look back-

A warm smile plays on his lips.

Deceit had been the one who shifted. From his back, he now he lay curled on his side, with arms wrapped around and holding Remus close on his chest. The Duke himself had moved a bit too, unconsciously snuffling up until his messy head of hair was snuggly below the other's chin. Both seemed very content in that position.

Roman bit back a chuckle, it was surprisingly cute.

As he turned to actually leave this time, he wondered for a moment, if that's how he and Anxiety looked when they were curled together?

Shaking his head, the Fanciful Personality brushed those thoughts aside, he would deal with that later; right now he had a job to do.

Closing the door behind him, he walked out ready to head back the same way he came; but he stopped in front of another door in the hallway.

Should he knock and check in on the Other?

Roman raised his hand, first curled to knock-

He deflated with a sigh, backing away from the door; it was probably best not to disturb...

-----

A snap of his fingers and Roman popped up in Sleep's room. He went to check on the Aspect but was surprised to find the bed made; the office through the door was also barren-the entire room was empty.

Frowning slightly he walked out and downstairs to Dream Tower Central, the hubcap of everything that dealt with the subconscious.

And there he found the Dream Tower Trio.

The three were surrounded by various stacks of files and papers as they were resting squinched-though comfortably so- on what looked like a giant Gold bean bag chair. A closer look confirmed Roman's suspicions that it was indeed made out Dream Sand.

Sleep was...asleep. He lay half leaning on Patience, his head resting on her shoulder, while his legs were draped over Serenity's lap. Tency was absentmindedly playing with Remy's hair, coiling the base curls around her finger while typing something single handedly on a Laptop. Ser was also on a Laptop using the sleeping Guardian's legs as a prop table.

"...ehem..."

The Girls looked up at him.

Patience gave a small wave, Serenity simply nodded but went back to her laptop.

"Is he ok?"

Tency shrugged with her free shoulder. "He just dozed off moments ago, he's stable; did you check on Remus?"

"Mhm, also stable- he's still asleep though "

"Good", starts Ser, " y'know out of the three of you, he was the only one we didn't have a problem with when it came to sleeping"

Roman shrugged, "Remus can sleep like a rock anywhere. It always takes me sometime to fall asleep; speaking of, did you three even go to bed last night?"

The Girls glanced at each other before looking sheepishly back at the Prince.

He tsked. "Hypocrisy much?"

Patience sighed, putting her Laptop down and off to the side, she carefully moved Remy off her shoulder to her lap. He stirred but didn't wake, instead he turned, snuffling his face to her stomach, likely fussing at having been moved.

"Shh", she soothed him gently running her fingers through his hair; he stilled.

"We tried going to sleep, but we couldn't so we ended up here searching for the report or the schemes or even the location of that Ericsson's goddessdamned Machine!-"

"Yeah", pipes in Ser, who had now also put her Laptop to the side. "We've been at it for hours, thankfully, Remy managed to find the schemes at least but we have no idea where the bloody thing is located"

Roman lit up, they had found something!

"Oh?! Where did he put them? Knowing how the machine was built makes it easier to dismantle and destroy it"

Tency shrugged, looking down at the sleeping Aspect. "It's in his Jacket, kind of the safest place it could be really, what with the Dream Sand holding onto it"

"Why didn't he just put it in the bag-"

Roman blinked, only just realizing that while Remy's iconic Jacket was on- and his shades which were tucked into the front side of his shirt- his bag was nowhere to be seen. "His Sand isn't back yet"

"Nope and probably won't be coming back for a bit, he hasn't rested enough for that-"

"And why-"

"Because he was worried for you guys yesterday! We all were! The way you you guys left...y'all were in a bad way...it didn't sit well with us. Not to mention FG still hasn't woken up even once and with all those things outside the Gate...can you blame us for being stressed? Can you blame him?..."

The Fanciful Personality winces, she had a point-

There was a Whimper.

The Three looked down on the slumbering Guardian; it looked less than peaceful.

He had turned away from Patience, his distressed face was on full view; pinched, brows furrowed and he was breathing far too fast.

"...ngh..."

His hands that were limp at his side suddenly clenched...tiny whisps of Dream Sand began to flow from his fingers but the amount was too little and it dissipated within seconds of floating upwards. His breathing picked up and a warbled cry left his unconscious lips.

Before anyone could even think of waking him, Remy's Shades shimmered; shifting; it returned into a stream of Dream Sand. Like a river it flowed up; reaching to form a small wave, it ended at a single soft point...right at the center of Sleep's forehead.

He stilled; breathing slowing, calm...

The Sand crooned gently nudging his cheek; it started to recede- Remy practically choked on a sob.

The Stream of Sand visibly jumped, sputtering a bit, very much distressed for its Master. It lashed out- quick as a whip, it curled around Roman's arm and tugged him towards the Aspect.

The Prince not knowing what else to do, attempted to wake the Guardian.

"Remy!"

"Hey, you need to wake up!"

"Remy!"

Sleep shot up, gasping for breath.

Patience pulled his back to her chest; Serenity, at his side, held on to his arm. They whispered reasurances in soothing tones .The Sand Stream curled around its Master, crooning its own. After a second or two, it nuzzled against his cheek before crawling on top of his head and reforming into a pair of Shades. The Jacket was now zipped up; a squeeze equivalent to a hug.

"...I-...i'm ok... I'm-"

"Bullshit" frowns Serenity tugging slightly on his arm, " You're crying"

"Wha-?" Remy raised his free hand to his eye, his finger came back with an entire teardrop. "...oh..."

"What was your dream about?"

Sleep tensed, having just realized that his Cousin was present.

He shrugs, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

"...Uh, that's the thing, I don't really remember it? Like it's in bits and pieces but I don't... I dunno"

Roman put his hand on Remy's shoulder. "Are you sure? You can tell us y'know-"

Patience Chimed in. "It's gotta be something if it made you cry Rem-"

"I'm for real right now Tency, I don't remember...well not much at least. Hell I legit don't even remember falling asleep-"

"Alright, then tell us the bits that you do remember"

"Easier said than done Ser, but uh... There was this silver chain- bracelet thing? One of the daggers I made for you two was broken...like in half but the broken blade piece was missing...and there was like curls? Like Tency, not gonna lie it looked like someone cut like a freaking chunk of your bangs. But I didn't see your or anything, it was just the curls on the floor with everything else...Oh! There was this shadow thing? Like it wasn't Ink...like not completely... but it had the shape of a person and a face but I can't recall it but it was definitely a dude...freaky lookin' with ink-sharp teeth ...and... and then Thomas pops up for some reason?...but not outside the Gate this time... He just dropped in, but like it was on that pale patch of grass that's like always there in front of the Tower? Yeah, plopped there just utterly confused...the Dream Tower also wasn't there for some reason...I...I think that's it? I can't remember anything else... I don't know what out of all of that would make me cry but yeah..."

"Maybe it's stress?" Supplies Roman with a shrug.

Remy shrugs. "I mean probably? But I almost never cry, especially in my sleep. Last time that happened it was one of those weird deja vu dreams"

----

"Let me check, ok? Just in case..."

"I'm fine Ro, but if it makes you feel better...", rolling his eyes, Remy tapped his chest; his Jacket. The Sand split and splintered as it separated- shimmering it reformed; the Jacket was now open revealing the white shirt underneath.

"Nice trick", snorted the Tertiary Personality as he placed his palm in the center of the Aspect's chest. He frowned. "Your Core is stable but the energy around it feels...odd"

"Odd how?" questions Patience.

"I don't know how to describe it-"

"Maybe it's because he's out of Sand?" Suggests Serenity.

Remy himself chimes in, "Yeah, that could be it"

"How long would it take for your Sand to form?"

"Eh... about a couple hours of sleep? It doesn't really take that long to form, I guess? I mean my Shades and Jacket are usually the first things to form. The bag forms after and stores the rest so..."

"So you need to get some sleep- all of you actually. Even if we found everything, it wouldn't make sense if we tried anything and we're all run down-"

"I mean fair but-"

"No buts Rem, without your Sand how do you expect to open another Portal in the subconscious? Or even protect the Gate, the Tower?-"

"Yikes, it's not like I'm aware of all that or anything jeez... I was just saying we might need a few more days. I had an idea that might work if we can't find the machine, we could find the dreams-"

"Can you do that remotely or are you going to play Dream detector in the subconscious?"

"I'm working on it, you know the Tower has its signal for attracting raw Dream material and that machine is probably what's blocking it. We find that signal, we find the machine. Besides, if push comes to shove, It'll be you, me and Remus being Dream Detectors-Wait, how is he by the way? I didn't get any texts from Scales so I assume they're Gucci?"

"Yeah, his Core is stable. Both of them are asleep though"

"Cools, looks like FG's anti-coffee did him some good- shit was scary to watch. I legit thought he was going to disappear"

"...So did I for a moment...but like he said, it's going to take more than that to get rid of him...he's like a freaking roach..."

"True"

"...Ehem..."

The two turned to see Patience holding a familiar item; it dawned on them that neither Remy nor Roman had taken the vial.

The Aspect groaned.

"Ughh!...Don't make me drink that crap again-"

"It's only two tablespoons-"

"Still!"

"Remy..."

"Fine! But no recording!"

"Aight, fine by me, I already got one"

The Prince laughs and follows the two to Sleep's room.

There Serenity had already drawn back the quilt and had tons of soft looking pillows ready on the bed.

Tency poured the contents of the vial into a spoon and everyone got to see the disgusted face the poor Guardian made when drinking it. After his second spoonful, he simply crawled into bed and flopped face down beside Ser; he didn't move any further, already out cold.

Patience shrugged, handing the vial with the last of the liquid to Roman before crawling in herself.

The Prince shakes his head fondly, he bids them a good rest, closes the door and leaves.

He finds the Dream Trio adorable.

They reminded him of the days, where he used to have sleepovers with his brother throwing popcorn at each other and generally making a mess of the bed and room with their epic pillow fights and the occasional spilled sodas. Those days got even better when Remy was introduced. Remus used to scare the poor Aspect everytime they would watch a scary movie. Remy would retaliate with popcorn or a pillow and somehow Roman would always end up hit and then the war was on. The 'Triple R's were close and often times Geoffrey would find them sprawled atop each other after a late night of gossip and movies.

Now that those days are gone; to Roman seeing the Trio together like that feels bittersweet. He's glad Remy's found friends who care about him like a second family, but he does miss their moments. Maybe, when everything blows over, he should invite them all to a movie night in commons. Hmm, what would a movie night with all of them be like? Well he already knew that Remus would definitely make dirty jokes, Remy would diss the practicality of character's clothing and Deceit would- Wait would Deceit and Anxiety even get along? He knew from Remus that the three of them had a falling out...guess that movie night will have to wait.

-----

Roman checks on Fairy Godmother and finds Geoffrey tending to her. The Ancillaries were with him as well. The Fae was still unconscious and the Figments were on their knees seemingly praying. The Prince backed away carefully and respectfully. His dear Fairy friend was in good hands, they'd tell him when she woke.

-----

With a surprisingly tired sigh, Roman returns to the Commons.

He had hoped to see any of the others but it was silent and empty...?

The Prince took a step back, eyes widened.

A dark mass was approaching, the silhouette of the thing made it look inky...it spread and then receded in a pulse. Roman's stomach dropped.

Was one of those creatures on this side of the Mindscape? What happened to the others? What will happen to Thomas?

"...hey Princey...what'r you doin jus standin ther?..."

Roman let out a sigh of relief.

It was just Anxiety.

The Younger was rubbing his eyes, swaying slightly and looking barely awake. It was his shadows that were spread out behind him that spooked the Prince earlier. They were dancing as if reacting to a threat or trying to protect their Master from one.

"Oh, I just got back-"

"...nh, you went to check on your brother right?"

"Mhm, and Remy too, their fine. They need more sleep but yeah.."

Anxiety nods, yawning as he did so, "that's a mood...I think we could all use a bit more sleep...yesterday was a mess and a half"

The Fanciful Personality had to agree. "Are the other two awake?"

The Emo shook his head, his shadows Splaying out everywhere over-protectively.

"Nah, their both snoring. I only woke up 'cause I wanted water and the tap wasn't cutting it"

"Ah, here let me get for Dear, Dark and Drowsy. You look ready to drop"

Anxiety shrugs and grunts out a thanks when the Royal returns with two cold bottles of water.

He takes it and practically chugs it empty.

"And that's why I brought two",grins the Prince knowingly.

"Smart, that's rare for you", mumbles the younger, a smirk attempting to form on his lips- though it was instantly wiped off by a yawn. His jaw pops slightly and his vision blurs; he blinked, shaking his head in an attempt to clear it-

Gravity had seemed to stop working for a moment and his entire chest felt cold and numb...

Princey watched as Anxiety's shadows suddenly lurched and rushed towards him as if trying to catch their Master. Unfortunately...or fortunately, Roman's own reflexes kicked in and he was bracing the Younger before he even knew it.

The feel of Anxiety's shadows crashing around him, wasn't completely unpleasant, but it did give him that "swooping drop" feeling which...wasn't so pleasant. Thankfully it only lasted a few seconds as the other finally caught his bearings.

Still bracing him, the Tertiary walks him to his room; once there, the Darker Personality all but collapses onto his bed.

Silently, Roman closes his door and lets him rest.

He then heads to his own room; pondering all that had happened.

When he was walking the Younger to his room, he had placed his hand on the center of the Other's back; Creativity had taken the chance to check his core.

Anxiety's core was stable but the energy felt weird like Remy's...come to think of it Remus' and Deceit's had felt similar.

The Prince Frowned.

-----

AN//: Hey guys! How we doin? ;)

Things are going to start getting trippy real soon....

Speaking of trips, Blu's class is coming to my school for a seminar on Wednesday, like what are the odds?! Anyways we'll be hanging out months earlier than planned, which is awesome! So send him your love yall and I'll make sure he sees it.

We'll both need it with the way school's going lol.

COMMENT OF THE WEEK:

BY God, the machine.

"Guess that old a-hole of a steward made more of a mess than I (and maybe he himself) thought he did.

But really, from what I remember (should prob go Back and check) he didn't seem quite smart enough to reek that much havoc. Perhaps someone else has their hands on the strings.

Thank goodness dukey is okay! (For now) Thomas probably can't afford to lose a side after all that. However, I wonder If the others are still at risk as well. Remember the nightmares of anxiety fading? All because of that machine, right? Or a tell of what's to come? And poor D! Almost Lost a friend there, and he's just utterly confused!

Great Job, as always. You really have Been active with this story! And I'm Happy, because it is definetly one of My favourite fics. And one of The only ones I've kept up with for _years_."

Ohh~ someone's getting it! Is there a Mastermind behind all of this, hmm? I guess you'll need to stay tuned ;) But! I'm really Glad you enjoy this fic!

Hope to see y'all in the comment section!