Empathy stayed fused for three days after, having to call in sick to Virgil's work. He was able to go to Patton's daycare, but even the kiddos noticed his strange behavior. His laughs felt too forced; his thoughts distracted. One of them asked when Mr. Morality would come back. Kyler didn't have an answer.

On the fourth morning, there was a knock at Virgil's door. Kyler peaked through the peephole and gasped at his surprise visitor. Logic stood on the other side, a folder in his hands. He was looking away, watching something in the parking lot. He wore a crisp tie and his hair was smoothed back.

Kyler stepped back, panic sweeping through him. What did Logic want? Were they backing out; did they decide they didn't want him? Kyler shook his head frantically, the sensations overpowering him. With a sudden gasp, he snapped apart.

"It's okay, I'll answer." Patton said quietly, placing a hand on Virgil's shoulder. They were kneeling on the ground, Virge holding his head. "I think he said something about paperwork."

"Right." Virgil muttered to himself, "Right."

Patton gave his shoulder a quick squeeze before he stood up and opened the door. He heard Virgil scramble away behind him. Patton smiled as bright as he could, "Logic! Hi!"

Logic's gaze darted to his, and he nodded. A teeny tiny smile played on his lips, like he wasn't sure how to do it right. Smiles, like hugs, should be big. "Greetings, Patton. I've been looking forward to saying that to the authentic Morality. It was satisfying."

Patton's smile slowly dimmed as he went on. He knew he looked confused as he said, "Wait, what?"

"Janus was impersonating you." Logic said simply as Patton let him into the apartment. He glanced around swiftly, before facing Patton fully and holding out the files. "I brought the paperwork required to move. Did you get the links of the apartment we suggested? It meets all our needs in terms of location, space, and price."

"Uh-" Patton blinked, taking the papers from him. He hadn't seen any link, as Kyler had spent the majority of his time at the daycare or asleep. But he was sure they could look at it later. "I trust your judgement."

"Oh, thank you." Logic sounded surprised, and maybe a little embarrassed. He cleared his throat, his fingers hooking around Patton's wrist as he gestured to the file. His skin felt warm. Logic asked, "Would you prefer for me to go through this with you?"

"I think we can handle it." Virgil's voice said from behind Patton. Logic looked up and gave Virgil the same itty bitty smile he gave Patton. Virge nodded at Logic's pleased, 'Greetings.'. He took the file from Patton and opened it. He glanced at Logic before focusing on the paper. "It's just court shit."

Patton gasped, gently swatting Virgil. "Language."

"American." Virgil responded, not looking up.

"Well, English," Logic said, squinting at him. "Actually."

Virgil slapped the file closed with more gusto than necessary. He shoved the file under his arm and said, "Yeah, it didn't look too hard."

"Absolutely, you're both intelligent, capable Sides." Logic said with a nod. He sounded mildly annoyed as he added, "You two weren't the ones I was worried about. Regardless, contact me if you have questions."

Patton bit his lip, then summoned his courage and said, "I have a question! You're a Logic, right?"

Logic blinked, glanced at Virgil, then said, "Yes."

"Is this stupid?" Patton asked, shifting on his feet. He saw Virgil freeze up in his peripheral, but Patton couldn't get himself to look at him. The words tumbled past his lips in a breath, "I just mean that, well, I don't trust- I can't trust Deceit. But I want to move in with you guys. I- I just…"

Patton sighed, tearing his gaze away from Logic's face to look at the carpet. He sniffled, feeling pressure behind his eyes. "I just need a little guidance."

"Stupid is the wrong word." Logic said, a tense frown of concentration on his face. He glanced between Patton and Virgil as he spoke, "Sudden, yes. Nerve-wracking or exciting, certainly. But I don't think this decision is stupid. Your Sides are biologically wired to coexist with you. Even if you're in an argument."

"So…?" Patton's eyebrows dipped.

Virgil had his arms crossed now, the file still tucked under his elbow. He was watching Logic closely. "We'll get used to living with him."

"As he will with you." Logic said, gesturing between them, "We will all improve and grow closer with our proximity, until we're ready to become Established."
Patton shifted closer to Virgil, pressing their shoulders together. He still felt uneasy.

"No one will force you to spend time with Janus." Logic said, "Just, for now, focus on Roman and- and myself."

"Right." Patton sighed, looking in Virgil's eyes. Kyler had been thinking through every scenario, over and over. His worst thoughts involved screaming and pain. His best thoughts included warm cuddle piles and a sense of fulfillment. This was their last chance to back out, and everyone knew it. Still, Patton's body ached for those happy dreams.

He needed that touch; the feel of his Sides in the same room, sharing the same air. And that made any of Kyler's fears worth it.

Logic only stuck around for a few more minutes of pleasant conversation before he left. Patton sighed, flopping onto the couch. Virgil set the paperwork on the coffee table and sat down beside him. He ran his fingers through Patton's hair slowly. Patton closed his eyes and hummed.

"It'll be okay; we'll get through this together." Virgil said, his voice quiet. "You worry too much."

He poked Patton's temple as he said the last part. It tickled, and Patton snorted. He shifted so his head laid on Virgil's lap, and he could look up at him. He caught Virgil's hand and brought his fingers to his lips. Virgil grinned at the kisses he placed on his fingertips.

"I learn from the best." Patton giggled at Virgil's surprised scoff. He snuggled closer to Virgil and said, "I wish we could be Established with just four."

"Yeah." Virgil said, staring at the wall. The hand in his hair stilled, and Patton looked up at him. Virgil shrugged, his gaze distant. "I guess we should, uh, just be careful around Janus. If he ever scares you or something, come get me."

Patton nodded, even as he was frowning. "What would you do if he did something?"

Virgil's jaw clenched and he looked down at Patton. The hand in his hair started moving again, a hard expression on his face. A shiver ran down Patton's spine as he heard Virgil's cold voice, "Don't worry about it."

Two days later, Logic was back for the completed paperwork. He checked through their work with approving nods. He was telling them about how he kept having to print off new copies for Janus, as he refused to write the real answers.

"New lies each time, as well. Very tedious." He said, flipping the last page of Virgil's file. "Oh, Virgil, you didn't have to fill out this-"

Virgil cleared his throat and said, "I double checked, I'm pretty sure it's right."

Patton glanced between the two. He didn't remember what was on the last page of the form, only that Virgil said they didn't have to do it. Virgil's jaw was clenched in that cute way he does when he's upset about something. Patton took his hand, but that didn't seem to calm him any.

"This is only for if you were-" Logic said, his eyes reading through the paperwork. His small smile dropped as he nodded suddenly. "Oh. I see."

He glanced at Virgil, who was now squeezing Patton's hand tightly; then to Patton, who was still lost on what's happening. Logic nodded again, his gaze returning to Virgil.

"I see." He said again. He closed the folder and smiled at them. "Well done, gentlemen. You won't need any corrections."

Virgil let out a slow exhale that Patton could only feel because he was now resting his head on his shoulder. He wanted to know what just happened, but he was sure Virgil would tell him later.

"I'll bring these files to the court. Once they approve it, which should only take a day or so, we'll be able to move into the apartment we agreed upon."

"Right." Virgil pulled out his phone, opening their group chat. Just like Patton, he didn't see the home in question. He watched the screen over his shoulder as the link loaded. The picture that popped up was of a nice two story. It had five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a backyard.

Patton gasped in realization, "Oh, this is the house on Bloom St.! I pass this on the way to the dog park!"

"Bloom St. is actually closer to the parlor than here." Virgil muttered.

Patton nodded, "Yeah, this will be great."

Logic blinked at them, "Did you not see the house before? Janus had told me-"

He closed his eyes and pulled a face. Virgil snorted, no longer tense from the paperwork talk. Patton waved at Logic placatingly, "Don't worry, we love it. You picked a good one."

"Thank you." Logic said. He nodded to both of them and gestured to the door. "I should be going now. I suggest you begin packing, if you haven't already."

So they did. They started with Patton's apartment, packing up everything they could. He didn't purge any of his things during the packing process; he'd much rather keep all of his stuff. Virgil came over every day to help him put things in boxes and totes. Once they were done, they moved on to Virgil's. He was more willing to get rid of some things, but it still felt like they were wading through an ocean of stuff.

It took them three days to finish, because they kept getting distracted by playing with nerf guns and making forts out of the boxes. Shadow enjoyed the new climbing features and cardboard scratching posts added to the place.

When they were done, Virgil and him flopped on the floor and stared at the empty room surrounding them. All the boxes were ready by the door, in fort form; leaving Virgil's old room completely bare. It left a weird feeling in Patton's chest, knowing that his apartment looked the same.

"I've lived in this apartment for three years." Virgil said, looking over at him. "I never thought I'd leave it."

Patton nodded and took his hand, "I know. I've always lived alone, since I moved out. It's going to be noisy in my home again."

He giggled at that, but Virgil frowned. He awkwardly added, "Hopefully good noise."

"Yeah." Patton shrugged, "Well, Logic said he and Roman are students. And we both have jobs. Maybe we won't see each other as often as we think."

"Yeah." Virgil was staring at the ceiling again. They fell quiet, Patton unable to come up with more to say. Virgil didn't seem too concerned about filling the silence.

Patton wasn't planning on them fusing then, but it felt natural in the peace that followed their packing. (Kyler wasn't much help while packing, despite having four arms, they had learned.) Virgil gave his hand a tight squeeze and then they were fused into Kyler.

He stayed laying there; his four hands resting on his belly, folded together. He blinked sleepily, and didn't break the silence. They'd be moving in tomorrow, one step closer to Establishment.

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