Deceit slowly peeled off the bandage that was covering his mostly-healed wound. The scar was just below his left eye, and sprawled down to his cheek. It's in the perfect shape of Patton's nails; how their hands were holding Daniel's face that night. He winced as his sore cheek tried to smile. No matter, he knew he could sell it.
He fiddled with his top hat, before he smoothed his shirt out. He stared at himself in the mirror. Turning, and getting another angel, he smirked. He had to admit, he looked absolutely hideous. The scar had its charm.
Sasha clacked from her cage behind him. Deceit rolled his eyes and said to the crab, "Yes, I know I wore this suit yesterday, but he didn't see me yesterday. So, I get to wear it again."
Rose blinked at him.
"I can't just 'steal a new suit', Rose," He said, turning and sauntering to the cage. "That sort of thing takes time I don't have. Besides, I think I look good."
The crabs were silent.
"No?" He frowned, glancing down at his yellow button up and classic black suit. Admittedly, his bow tie was a clip on, but no one needed to know that. He didn't have time to change, the show was going to start in twenty minutes. He grabbed his yellow gloves off his bed and put them on, muttering, "Either way, it's the best we got."
Gloves on, he picked up his sleek cane. He tapped the ground with it, then shifted it to his other hand. He turned and looked at the mirror, "Girls? Is the cane too much?"
Clacks all around (as Rose and Sasha fought over a leaf). Deceit sighed and set his cane on his bed, "I agree."
He gave his girls a quick goodbye and slithered upstairs. He cracked the door open enough to peek through to the hall. The lights were off, but the TV in the livingroom was on. He could hear Frank commenting on the football game to himself. Deceit closed the door quietly behind him. He knew due to the slurs in his grumbling, Frank was several beers into a game. Deceit turned away from the livingroom and snuck down the hall to the front door.
Frank is a creature of habit, and never learns. He always leaves his keys in a little bowl by the door. Deceit slips them into his pocket and closes the door silently behind him. Frank will fall asleep before the end of the fourth quarter, and Deceit will be back before morning.
No one will be the wiser.
The first time Deceit watched the show, he was actually listening to the performance and the plot. This time, however, he focused on Roman. If that bouncy ass wasn't on stage, Deciet's attention was lost.
The most important thing Deceit recognized while rewatching the performance, was just how terrible of an actor Roman was. It's obvious why he was given the lead role. Deceit chewed his lip, thinking. It may be difficult to trick him; he might see through all of Deciet's showmanship. Afterall, game recognize game.
After the intermission, Deceit turned down the side hall, instead of returning to his seat in the auditorium. He found a door that lead backstage, and he casually ducked behind it.
Backstage was dark and hectic. Everyone silently, yet furiously, scrambling to their places. Deceit shoved his hands into his pockets and dipped his head down as he sped around the outerier of the stage. He was hidden in the dark curtains, silently moving past everyone who was too focused on their task to notice him. Deceit found the door leading back out of the auditorium, into the cast and crew only hall. Some students left their backpacks and bags out, lining the hall. It was like a little runway for pickpockets. Quickly, Deceit recognized more expensive brands on the backpacks and riffled through them until he found some pocket change. No one carries bills anymore, ugh.
Dissatisfied with broke college student's bags, he entered the men's changing room. There were more personal belongings in here, but most of the space was reserved for props and costumes. Deceit boredly looked through everyone's stations. Each man had their own mirror and make-up bag. Some of them left their phones out on the tables, or snacks and personal notes.
Deceit chewed on someone's gummy worms and he read another's 'good luck sweetie!' note. He almost gagged from the sweetness. He stuffed the last gummy worm in his mouth, then placed the empty bag on Sweetie's desk with the note.
He rubbed his hands together as he scanned what was next. This table was uninteresting. A playbill of the show was taped to the corner of the mirror. Written on it in black marker were the words, "That's my boy!" There was no signature, but the font felt paternal. Roman's face was circled multiple times in the same black marker. Deceit snorted, it looked more like the writer was leaving themself a reminder. This, Roman, right here, circled, is my boy.
Deceit sat down in Roman's swivel chair. He spun around a few times before he stopped to snoop some more. Aside from all of his make-up being thrown around everywhere, there wasn't much else of interest.
In the corner of the desk, Roman had shoved some red roses. Deceit almost took one to give to him after the show, but upon further inspection, they were very neat. They were covered in dust, and looked like they were stepped on. Deceit decided he'd just steal someone else's flowers to give to him. Afterall, everyone else's flowers also looked like they came from a dumpster.
The last thing Deceit picked up was Roman's phone. The screen lit up when Deceit looked at it. Face recognition, really? Was thinking up a password too hard?
Deceit raised an eyebrow at all the missed messages. Someone was excellent at communication skills. Deceit scrolled through them:
Logic: But, based on my understanding of the show, the prince should have admitted his mistake from the beginning, which would have saved the princess from being taken.
Logic: We can discuss this more after your performance.
Logic: You are, objectively, doing better than last night.
Deceit grinned, Logic Sides are always so much fun. He almost felt bad for Roman having one as a friend. He clicked on a different conversation, leaning back in the chair.
Remy Baby: Missy's real excited to see your play tomorrow. She's had a hard time since the fusion thing.
Remy Baby: We should get dinner after, babe. It'll be nice.
Deceit scrolled through that person's texts, hoping to find a dick pic or something equally exciting. But they just complain about their fusion life, most of which Roman left on read. Deceit clicked on the next conversation.
Kai-pow!: How do you turn the oven light off?
Kai-pow!: Did you see the meme i sent u?
Oh my god, Roman is so boring. Deceit dropped the phone back onto the counter and stared up at the ceiling. What if he's stuck with boring, goody-goody Sides forever?
Deceit listened to see where they were in the show, but all he could hear was applause. That was probably his cue to get out of here before-
The door opened. Deceit totally planned for this to happen.
Roman stepped inside, his gaze locking on Deceit's. He planned that, too.
Instantly, Roman stopped in his tracks, the door closing behind him. He was even more ugly up close. Deceit decided Roman was far more attractive than Patton. He was ready for an upgrade.
"Hello," Deceit purred, holding out his hand.
Roman glanced at it, before asking, "Did Logic send you?"
Logic? As in Mr. Overanalyze the Show, Logic? So they're not friends? Deceit curled his fingers, pulling his hand back as he said, "Yes."
"Oh, I can't believe him." Roman hissed to himself, pushing past Deceit to go to his desk. Deceit followed after him, watching as he started to take Bobby pins out of his hair. Roman didn't look at him as he asked, "And who are you supposed to be?"
"Who do you expect me to be?" Deceit asked. He watched as Roman glanced at him, then rolled his eyes.
"I dunno, his muscle?" Roman said, taking off his crown.
Deceit nodded, thinking, "Oh, like an interrogation?"
"Yeah, probably." Roman stood up, shaking out his hair. Deceit watched as a Bobby pin clung to his scalp for dear life. He reached forward and plucked it from his hair.
He held it out to Roman, and smiled as non-threateningly as he could, "I won't interrogate you; I'm a friend."
Roman took the hair clip and sighed. He stared at the broken flowers on his table. Deceit watched Roman go through a short face journey. Finally, he shook his head, and said, "C'mon, you shouldn't be in here."
Deceit led the way out of the room, then stopped in the hall said, "I'm sorry if this is a bit forward," Roman winced, already clearly preparing for something. Deceit took notice of the action, but carried on charmingly, "but you were absolutely wonderful on stage."
"Oh." Roman relaxed, his expression startled. "Um, thank you."
"Were you expecting any different?" Deceit asked, watching his reaction.
He could practically see Roman push thoughts out of his mind. He said, "No, um, thank you. I'm glad you liked the show."
"The show was amazing! You were the most impressive part, of course." Deceit praised, gently touching Roman's shoulder. The other man smiled, his cheeks turning pink. Deceit added, "When you hit the high note in 'I Wish You Were Mine', it was like you stole the breath from my lungs."
Roman laughed, ducking his head in embarrassment, "Oh, stop."
"Really! I've never seen anyone so dedicated to their craft! You were absolutely divine!" Deceit said, maybe laying it on a little thick. But he had a hunch this guy would fall for the ol' asskisser trick. "When can I see more of you? I wish you were on my TV, you're just so fun to watch!"
Roman stopped outside the door leading to the main hall. "Um, well, we have another showing tomorrow night."
"Consider it done, darling." Deceit said, holding out his hand for a shake.
Roman smiled and reached for it, but stopped before they touched. He stared at Deceit's hand, then glanced up at him. He smoothly pulled his hand back and ran it through his hair. He glanced away and said, "I'm glad you liked the show. Um, tell Logic that I meant what I said."
"Care to be more specific?" Deceit winked and added, "Logical Sides tend to take things literally."
Roman's eyebrows pinched together and his shoulders slumped, "I don't want to fuse with him. Or anyone. I'm not a Side, okay? So both you and him can stop bothering me."
That was an interesting take. Deceit could practically feel the deception coming off of Roman in waves. He hated it. Deceit put a hand on his chest and said in his most innocent tone, "Me? Wha- bother?! My prince, I assure you, I'm doing no such thing!"
Roman squinted at him and opened the door to the hall. He walked out of it and said, "Aren't you Logic's Side?"
"Not at all." Deceit purred, watching as Roman slowly turned back to him with a frown. Deceit held back a smile as he took Roman's hand, "I'm just like you."
Roman started blinking rapidly, like he couldn't process what he just said. Deceit waited, gently rubbing his gloved thumb across the back of Roman's hand. Roman never looked away from him, he said in a breathy whisper, "I'm Established."
"Me too." Deceit told him.
"Roman!"
Deceit glanced over Roman's shoulder to see a Side wearing square glasses approaching them. That must be the Logical Side he keeps talking about. Deceit opened his mouth to comment, but his attention was stolen.
Suddenly, a sharp burning in his hand made him look down. Their hands were glowing. Roman almost pulled his hand away, but Deceit intertwined their fingers. The heat was spreading up his arm, taking his breath away. Around the hall, people were turning to look at them as their light grew. It was a familiar sensation, which reminded him of Patton.
They were fusing.
But before they disappeared in light, Roman twisted his hand free and backed away from him. Deceit instantly felt cold, and he was breathing hard. Roman watched him with wide eyes, practically shaking in his boots. Deceit was trying to think of anything to say, but his mind was blank with what had almost happened. Almost like his body was mad at him for not completing the fusion, it refused to do anything but stand there.
"Roman?"
They both turned to see the Logic Side starting at them.
"Fuck." Roman said, shaking his head. He backed away from both of them, but his eyes were still on Logic. He stared pointedly at the roses in the Side's hand. "More?!"
Logic glanced down at the flowers, almost like he had forgotten he was holding him. The Side shrugged and said, "It is a new performance."
Deceit looked from one Side to the other. They both were like deer in headlights, unmoving and terrified. Although it had been fun to watch, Deceit needed to put some puzzle pieces together. If he had been able to almost-fuse with Roman, they were definitely Sides. He already had Patton in his back pocket. So this Logical Side could be his third; which would mean he's only one more away from being Established.
"Gentlemen, please." Deceit said, hoping to keep the two from bolting. "Let's sit down and talk about this over a nice dinner."
"There's nothing more to talk about." Roman said, taking slow steps backwards.
"Roman, I'm sorry." Logic said suddenly, "I don't know what I did to upset you-"
"Shut up."
"Maybe we could try fusing again?" Deceit suggested, "That might help?"
"No!" Roman turned and sprinted away from them. Audience members and cast alike moved out of his way. From the crowd, a short Side ran after him, along with a Fusion that was in the show. Logic started to follow, but Deceit grabbed him by the arm and stopped him.
"What are you doing? I have to talk to him!" The Side hissed in his face, furious.
Deceit let go of him and said, "There will be time to talk to him later. But I've only just met you."
Logic took a deep breath, then looked back at Roman's retreating form. He had made it to the front door of the building, and was now disappearing outside. He sighed, then turned back to Deceit. He was still clearly frustrated, but he held out his hand politely, "My name is Logic Side."
Deceit smiled, wrapping both his hands around his. He shook their hands and said, "I'm Morality Side. You can call me Patton."
Tell me what you think!
