Pairings: Past Anxceitmus, Current Dukeceit and LAMP, up to interpretation if they're platonic or romantic!

Warnings: Implied past verbal abuse, Unsympathetic Virgil, no happy ending lmk if I need to add anything else!

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"I hate you both! I hate you so goddamn much! First you, Deceit, not only stopping me from revealing myself to Thomas for the longest time but then just popping up and impersonating a part of my family? And you!" Virgil shoves a finger into Remus's chest, causing the side to stagger back. "You had absolutely no right to hurt Roman! Or give Thomas all those horrific thoughts! Neither of you should have shown yourselves to Thomas, neither of you should have stepped foot near my family!"

Deceit holds out a hand to stop Remus from lunging at Virgil once Virgil had quieted down. Tears were in Remus's eyes, and he stared at Deceit, silently begging to let him throw just one punch, just one. But Deceit shook his head.

He knew it was pointless, after all. If they hurt Virgil, there was no doubt Virgil would summon one or all of the other sides to fight off Deceit and Remus. And Virgil believed every word he was saying. As angry as Deceit was, how angry he wanted to be, it also wasn't worth the energy.

Virgil was not worth the energy.

He took Remus's hand, giving it a light squeeze as Remus deflated, hugging himself with his free arm but squeezing Deceit's hand deathly tight with the other.

"If you're happy, Virgil, then okay."

Virgil stared at him, anger still evident on his face but a hint of confusion appeared. "What?"

"If you are happy, then okay." Deceit repeated, and he held himself higher. "If you're truly happy with them, then fine. We do not wish to break apart your family, we had only been appearing to check on our past family member, but..." Deceit took a deep breath. "But, if that's not what you want, then we'll stop showing up."

Deceit tugged Remus closer, pulling him into a hug. Remus buried his face in Deceit's chest, on the verge of breaking. Because Virgil had been yelling at them for a long time now, insulting them, and it was finally settling in and the hurt was going to hit Remus like a flood.

"I suggest you leave, Virgil." His tobe was void of all emotion. Deceit could deal with his own feelings later, Remus took priority. He held Remus tighter. "Now."

Virgil looked as though he wanted to argue more, to continue shouting, but Deceit glared at the embodiment of anxiety. "Just go!"

He sunk out, and Deceit crumbled to the floor with Remus. Deceit pressed a kiss to the top of Remus's head, pulling the creative side into his lap and holding him as close as he could.

"It's going to be okay, Rem. Better even, without Virgil."

"You can't lie, Dee, that it doesn't hurts." Remus mumbled, coughing slightly into Deceit's neck as he continued to cry. Virgil had pushed just right to get him to crack.

"I didn't say it doesn't." Deceit whispered, and that was the end of that.