#future Anxceit

[edupunkn00b]

All Due Care and Caution

Photo by Taylor Fiehl on Unsplash

Virgil and Janus began their legal careers together, fighting on the side of justice.

Now they're on opposite sides of the court room.

WC: 2195 - Rated: G - CW: non-graphic mentions of a car crash, politics, divorce, swearing Written for @tsspromptmonth's Rare Gifts Event. ---

“Virgil Knight for the plaintiff, Your Honor, and—”

The gallery doors slammed open, jolting Virgil in his spot next to his client. “It’s alright, Thomas,” he whispered, ghosting a hand over the man’s uninjured shoulder. The sharp clack of heeled loafers was deafening in the otherwise hushed courtroom and he cast a quick glance back to see if the defendant’s attorney had finally deigned to show his face.

“Fuck,” he muttered, even quieter this time. The slimeball who’d plowed into his client with a four-ton Hummer was being defended by something even slimier.

“Your Honor, Janus Knight, defense,” he purred with a little bow of his head, the supposed show of deference somehow condescending. Only Jay could manage shit like that. “I wish to extend my apologies to the Court,” he continued in a saccharine sweet voice that made Virgil wish he could take a bleach bath. To think he’d ever let that man—

“This case was reassigned to me only moments ago when the previous attorney, well…” Janus made a broad gesture toward the reporters in the back row. “We all have Twitter, don’t we?”

Of course Jay worked for the same firm as Sadow.

“Is that good or bad?” Thomas whispered as the gallery buzzed with similarly murmured questions. It wasn’t every day an attorney was removed from civil court in handcuffs, but it had been the third time for that particular politician’s case. Even those who avoided the news had seen it.

Virgil shook his head, eyes locked on the judge. She seemed to be wondering the same. “And I suppose you are here to motion the court for a continuance in order to confer with your new client?”

“Oh, on the contrary.” With a sleight of hand better suited to a street magician, a sheaf of bluebacks appeared in Jay’s hand. “I am prepared to present my motion to dismiss the case for failure to state a claim—”

“Your Honor,” Virgil interrupted. “Perhaps the defendant does require some time to review the three-hundred and ninety-two exhibits establishing my client’s injuries and the video of the incident taken from four different vantage points.”

He felt more than saw Jay’s eyes finally turn to him, bright sparks of gold boring into his skull. 

“Counsel, approach the bench.” 

Jay glided forward and Virgil followed, quickly overtaking him with his longer and faster stride. He’d be damned if he was going to follow Jay anywhere.

~

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Janus was going to slaughter Sadow. Along with whoever else at the firm who thought it would be simply hilarious to foist this case onto him.

For the past year, it had been an open secret in the surprisingly close-knit community of civil attorneys that he and Vee had divorced—quite in-amicably. Each of the circuit’s judge’s clerks had gone out of their way to ensure their cases were never scheduled on the same day. And Janus’ firm had been careful not to assign him cases in which the Avenging Angel himself represented the plaintiff.

It seemed that courtesy had ended.

Flexing his fingers to hide their tremor, he managed to keep his voice steady and his eyes away from his ex-husband while he announced his motion to dismiss. It was unlikely to prevail on its merits, but if delivered with enough panache and confidence, he could sow the seeds of doubt in the judge’s—and the jury’s—minds.

To be honest, he hadn’t had time to review the evidence in this case, and he bit back an epithet at his firm’s attorney-in-charge.

“Your hubby’s losing his touch.” Chad hadn’t even looked up from his computer when Janus had protested the assignment. “Ex, whatever. The evidence is shabby. He’s turning into an ambulance chaser.” He barked out a laugh. “You must’ve really bled him dry in the divorce.”

In truth, he hadn’t contested Vee’s attorney’s opening offer and had let him keep everything but Janus’ clothes. The custom suits wouldn’t’ve fit his lanky frame anyway. And the suits were really all that mattered for Janus to keep up his appearance. No-one needed to know that, after alimony, he couldn’t afford much more than a shoebox studio downtown and, when he wasn't entertaining clients on the firm's expense account, survived on beans and rice most nights.

He smoothed down his silk waistcoat and inhaled slowly before approaching the judge. Vee moved more quickly than he did, always faster, always in a hurry. He would only slow down under Janus’ lead, with gentle reminders to rest, to care for himself at least as much as he cared for his clients. To recharge. To sleep. The case would be there in the morning.

The soft days of Vee following his lead, though, were long gone. Glancing back at the defendant’s table where his client sat twirling the keys to her near-murderous Hummer, Janus really couldn’t blame him.

~

“Your honor—” Virgil began, but the judge raised a hand to cut him off, then shoved aside Jay’s proffered motions. Her clerk silently collected the stack and began to peruse them.

“No, you will both listen first. Mr. Knight,” she turned to Jay. “Your client pled guilty to reckless endangerment and failure to operate a vehicle with all due care and caution. Are you disputing those findings?”

“Of course not, Your Honor.” The judge might have missed the tic in Jay’s jaw, but Virgil didn’t. He really got hosed with this case, didn’t he?

“Then why are you wasting the Court’s time with a motion to dismiss? Have you actually reviewed the evidence?”

“No, Your Honor,” he admitted, voice steady and chin held high. To the outside world, Jay looked just as confident as ever. But his right foot pointed toe-in and his thumb rubbed the inside of his ring finger. “With the Court’s permission, I would like to retract the motion.”

“Granted. Mr. Knight,” she said before turning to Virgil. “You were saying?”

“Not confusing at all,” Jay muttered just under his breath. “You really had to keep my name?”

“We both chose Knight," Virgil snapped, turning to face him. Was Jay… smiling? With effort, Virgil returned his full attention to the judge. “My client is ready to proceed, Your Honor.”

“Very well,” she nodded. “Let’s begin.”

“Thank you, your Honor.” Virgil returned to his client’s side, steadfastly avoiding Jay’s gaze. He would not allow his ex to pull those pouty little faces and distract him. He hadn't forced Jay to turn his back on everything they'd studied and struggled and fought for. If Jay had to now lie in the bed he’d made with that evil little defense firm, then so be it.

Yes, so be it, he nodded to himself even as his heart clenched at the flash of yellow in Jay’s palm. If he’d brought out a fidget in court, he was only a few steps from a full-on panic attack.

Jay’s first case had ended in a mistrial with prejudice. He’d fled the courtroom, leaving Virgil to explain to his sobbing client that her attacker would walk free. After searching each floor, Virgil had finally found him in a broken bathroom stall, hyperventilating and clawing at his own hair. It hadn't been the first time he’d seen his outwardly suave new husband break down.

But it had been the last.

“I can’t fail another client like that, Vee,” he’d whispered after Virgil had helped him through one of his own breathing exercises. “The stakes are just too high.”

He’d begun job searching shortly after his next case, jumping from office to office before finally joining his uncle’s boutique defense firm. They'd started small, but eventually made name when they began to pick up famous clients, nepo kid DUIs, movie stars fighting murder charges. Politicians accused of bribery—or far worse.

Neither had known it at the time, but it was the beginning of the death of their relationship. Even when they didn’t find themselves on opposing sides of the courtroom, neither Virgil nor Jay was good at compartmentalizing their work. Wars over briefs soon turned their bedroom into a battlefield.

The writing was on the wall. An assistant district attorney who worked pro bono on civil claims and a flashy—and pricey—private defense attorney were doomed. This was their first case together—together as combatants—since the divorce. If it meant finally being free from lingering worry for his ex, Virgil would happily drive the final nail into that coffin.

Shaking away the butter-smooth laughter in his head about mixed metaphors, he swallowed back the nervousness thrumming against his ribs. Finding that calm that now only came in court, Virgil addressed the jury. “Ladies and gentlemen, today you will see and hear how Ms. Karen Dars ignored a flashing pedestrian signal then roared through that crosswalk, striking my client, Thomas Sanders. He suffered three fractures to his…

~

Vee’s opening statement was… flawless. It never failed. Vee would clam up and refuse to send back a meal, would mutely let a stranger steal his place in line. He was too anxious to call the doctor’s office and reschedule an appointment. But in court?

In court, Vee bloomed. He stood tall and proud and certain, the weight of his client’s future bolstering him against any attack. It was the first thing Janus had noticed all the way back in law school. It was the first thing that had made him fall in love.

And in the privacy of his own mind, Janus could admit at least to himself that he’d never really stopped.

His heart pounded in his chest, a syncopated, thudding staccato that threatened to drown out his client’s hissed whisper. He wished it had. “Why don’t you say something? He’s making me sound like some kind of villain!”

The judge shot her a warning glare but his client continued. “What am I paying you for? Am I supposed to just sit here and listen while he says all those awful things about me?” Big, crocodile tears welled in her eyes and Janus barely fought the impulse to roll his eyes.

“Yes, Ms. Dars,” he whispered close to her ear. “That’s exactly what we do during his opening statement.”

With a petulant huff, she sat back in her seat, arms crossed as Vee finished his argument. She remained nearly silent during his own opening statement. It wasn’t until the first paramedic took the stand that she raised her voice.

“How dare you!” she shouted from the defense table.

“Mr. Knight, control your client!”

Janus stood and pressed one hand firmly on her shoulder. “Ms. Dars, a contempt court charge will not—”

But she wouldn't stop. Pointing at the paramedic, she demanded, “Why do you think I gave you a tip? For good driving?”

Vee had prepared the witness well. The paramedic clamped his mouth shut and turned to Vee, waiting to be asked.

And Vee did not disappoint.

“Mr. Selnick, did the defendant attempt to bribe you while you were rendering aid to my client?”

Ms. Dars' voice rang out, interrupting any response he might have given. “Yeah, and the dumb fuck wouldn’t even take it!”

~

The courtroom exploded in a flurry of shouts and laughter. The tumult was short-lived, snuffed nearly as quickly as it’d begun by the judge’s gavel and Ms. Dars' first swearing at, then biting the bailiff as he ratcheted on her handcuffs. He took his time and summoned another bailiff to chain her waist and ankles.

“Oh, and you’re so fired!” she snarled at Janus through clenched teeth.

“You cannot fire me, Ms. Dars,” he replied, setting down his phone, a prickly squish fidget hidden in his other hand. “I just quit the firm.”

“Is that true?” Vee asked, nearer than Janus had expected him to be.

He looked up, anticipating a sneer but instead, Vee looked… worried? Janus swallowed and nodded once before packing in the files spread across the defendant’s table. “Yes,” he muttered, bracing himself. Vee could be vindictive and a bit of a bitch.

It was another thing he’d always appreciated. Until it had been turned toward him.

But Vee remained quiet, feet shuffling next to him. Janus kept his gaze low. He didn’t want to watch his former husband walk away from him one more time. His breath caught in his throat when, instead of leaving, Vee hugged him.

“I’m proud of you, Jay,” he whispered. The hug was over quickly, the heat from his always-warm hands evaporating into the climate-controlled air. “I—”

Janus looked up again and there were tears in Vee’s eyes. “Why don’t you…" He smiled. "Why don't you swing by the house tonight? We can talk about job openings down at the DA’s office.” When Janus remained silent, Vee scoffed and started to turn back, shaking his head. “Whatever, Janus, if you’d rather—”

“No!” He stood and grabbed his sleeve. The courtroom, the whole world narrowed down to the bright flash of hope in Vee’s eyes. “I mean, yes… Yes, I’d like that. I’ll be there at seven.”

Vee’s lips curled up into a crooked little smile. “Be there at five thirty and you can cook.”

[tss-anxceit-week]

The time has come...

...for spooky season, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, orange leaves and windy storms. And, lest we not forget:

The arrival of the prompts for Anxceit Week 2023!

Thank you all for your wonderful submissions; I hope these pairs of prompts will help inspire you.* 💜💛

Day 1 (Nov. 12): Close & Distant

Day 2 (Nov. 13): Eyes & Apples

Day 3 (Nov. 14): Trust & Betrayal

Day 4 (Nov. 15): Free Day!**

Day 5 (Nov. 16): Home & History

Day 6 (Nov. 17): Kiss & Make Up

Day 7 (Nov. 18): Lies & Promises

*Like I mentioned above, these prompts are first and foremost meant as tools to spark your inspiration. You are free to interpret the prompts however you like, choose either one or both, incorporate them in any degree you wish.

**As the name suggests, you are free to choose whatever prompt you like on Day 4! Go wild! Need ideas? Perhaps some of these honorable mentions from the submissions can inspire you: Lantern, Denial, Web, Photoshoot, Past/Future, Shedding, Nightfall, Sewing, Capes.

As for some final announcements, please keep the rules below in mind:

Tag this blog (@tss-anxceit-week) and/or include #anxceitweek2023 in your post when you submit something. That will help me make sure I reblog all the Anxceit content being made for this week.

Artwork of any kind is welcome! Art, writing, playlists, crafts, animation, poetry - you name it, we'd love to see it!

This is a SFW event. Please be aware that NSFW content will not be reblogged here to keep this space available to as many as possible.

As long as Anxceit is the main focus, you are allowed to include polyships featuring Janus and Virgil as well. And further on that note, the ship can be celebrated in any nature: platonic, familial, romantic, etc.

Don't feel obligated to partake in every single day. Whenever you are able/willing/inspired you are free to join, but take care to not overwork yourself.

And most importantly of all: have fun! I am so thrilled to see what you all will come up with and it's an honor to organize this event for the community here. Feel free to send me an ask if you have any questions or comments!

See you sssssssoon...

💜💛

[kieraelieson]

I wanna do some writing but I’m not sure what

Some details~

Can Two Wrongs Ever Make a Right? - Omegaverse fic with a focus on Anxceit. I’d write something fluffy that helps set up threads for the angst planned in the future.

Mercy - A fae fic with a focus on some power imbalanced Prinxiety. I’d probably set up Roman to go on his quest, or perhaps just skip ahead a bit to him beginning it.

Three Bean Soup - A soulmate fic with Virgil/Remy/Janus and Patton/Logan/Roman. I’d probably start work on the backstory of Patton Logan and Roman.

I’m only really gonna let the poll run until I’ve eaten some food and done some other tasks and am ready to sit down and write, so vote fast~

[dndeceit]

Quick collection of my Sanders Sides fics so far for @edupunkn00b's reblog party:

A Game of Tea and Dragons Rated T Fantasy AU. Revenge, curses, hospitality and dragons. Nails in the Coffin Rated T/mild M (for Remus antics involving cartoonish use of gore) Canon 'verse, vampire AU. The Sides are going through it.

Keeping Lies Out of the Relationship Rated T Canon ‘verse, Karrot Kings. A B-side to Flirting with Social Anxiety. Party Games series Truth or Dare | Never Have I Ever Rated T Werewolf AU. Camping and alcohol don't mix. Especially when dares and folklore are involved. One-sided Loceit, past-Anxceit, background Logicality (implied future Logicaliceit).

The Wrong Office Rated T Canon ‘verse + Cartoon Therapy Dr. Emile Picani is having a very strange day...

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

Where the Ashes Settle

----

Roman was prepared for normal day, leave the hotel, get coffee, go to the station and head home.

He hadn't made room in his schedule for getting caught up in a villain fight, nor getting kidnapped by the villain and his arch-nemisis, though.

----

| Ao3 |

Warnings: Injury, kidnapping

Pairings: Anxceit, possible future anarociet depending on how you wanna interprit.

Word count: 3437

Notes:

I wrote this whole thing today because I was bored and wanted to have some fun. I've been wanting to make a superhero au for a very long time but I'm too lazy so here's a oneshot instead. :) - i't's not really edited as of right now, I might come back and fix it later, but I can't say for sure.

----

Roman was just a civilian.

He had no useful powers, as much as he’d always wanted to be a hero, being a super one is just not on the cards. Voice Projection. That was Roman’s power, he could make his voice be heard from anywhere, with a microphone it was amazingly useful during concerts. But he could only make his voice as loud as he could yell, so the most he’d be able to do as a hero would be… to cause confusion, potentially. 

So Roman wasn’t a superhero, he was a regular person, an indie singer who was nowhere near as well known as he wanted to be, doing gigs in pubs and at small events who didn’t have the money to hire the bigshots or specifically wanted acts that no-one had heard of. It was fine, Roman loved singing, holding the attention of a crowd was something he was good at, writing and performing music had been something he loved since before he could remember.

He was well aware of the more super goings on of the world, of course. He followed the heroes almost religiously, their instagram stories, the events they were doing, the latest battles they’d won against upstart supervillains. His favourite was a longstanding battle between one of the top heroes - Viper, who was surprisingly popular despite his dark and mysterious persona - and one of the most renowned villains in the country - Tempest, who looked and played the part of arch-nemesis very well.

Roman followed their battles over the internet, watching the videos and footage. Their fights were always immense and almost beautiful, they were evenly matched, skill wise, and they both had crazy power sets. Viper could shapeshift, between human and animal forms, including - to Roman’s delight when he saw the battle - a dragon. Tempest could create - as his name suggested - storms, he could walk on the clouds, draw lightning strikes from the heavens, create heavy rains and strong winds whenever he wanted. 

It was brilliant to watch, after the fight had taken place from the comfort of his mediocre apartment living room.

It wasn’t quite so great to be there in person. 

He’d been getting a coffee at a cute little cafe he’d found whilst staying for a week in a town a few hours out from his own for a few pretty good gigs he’d been able to snag and he was just about to head to the station to get his train back home. He’d decided to stop by the shop on the way. He’d known something was wrong when he’d stepped back onto the street, coffee cup in hand, guitar case slung across one shoulder and backpack on the other, to find it deserted. 

Thunder. He heard it first as he made his way down the street, turning the corner to see the dark, angry clouds gathering just up the street. He rushed forward - blinded from the danger by his eagerness to see the fight - maybe he’d be able to film it if he could get a good view! Witnessing a battle in person - especially one on this magnitude - was rare and absolutely granted bragging rights over all your family and friends, so Roman wasn’t about to pass up such an opportunity.

He must have approached from somewhere behind Tempest, as he creeped along the street and pulled out his phone to record - even as the wind whipped at his hair, thankfully it wasn’t raining. He knew that this was stupid, he’d be in a lot of danger coming this close, but he felt almost like he had to.

Further up the street Roman spotted Viper, shifted into some kind of big cat crouched atop an already damaged car, making up some kind of blockade at the other end of the street. Roman could hear yelling and crying from behind it - he must be protecting people that way. The pair of supers began to fight properly, thunder booming in the sky as they clashed. Viper turned mid-jump into what looked to be a griffin, and ran at Tempest. Roman watched in wonder as the two clashed in front of him. 

Lightning struck, too close to him to be safe. He let out an involuntary yelp for fear when the building began to catch fire. His eyes darted between the rapidly spreading fire to the fighting pair. Neither of them had noticed. He heard a scream from inside the building and - panicking - Roman decided he would have to do something. 

“Hey!” He called, but his voice was lost to the raging winds. He tried to use his power, placing his voice nearer to Viper - “Hey! The- the building’s on fire! To your left!”

Viper looked over, golden eyes widening for just a moment, before he was slammed into by Tempest. 

Shit -! Roman thought, glancing back at the building again, breath quickening, he’d just gotten Viper hurt - he was sure he could probably face legal action for interfering like that, and the people in the building were no closer to getting saved. His power really was useless after all.

Roman was just trying to figure out what to do when the fire began to spread too close to him - across the debris already on the floor. He took a few steps back only to scream as something came hurting at him in the wind. The bit of flying debris smacked into his shoulder hard, sending him flying to the ground and leaving him winded. His vision swam as he laid there on the ground, distantly aware of more yelling than before, was it closer? And the crackling of fire, the screaming of sirens somewhere far in the distance. Roman hoped they’d be fast enough to save the people in the buildings. 

—

“Shit!” Virgil yelled when he heard someone scream from far too close to them to be from the crowd. Rearing back from where he’d been about to punch Janus and looking around just in time to see the civilian standing far too close to the fight get flung backwards to the ground - almost into the raging inferno that was the building behind him. 

Janus shifted back to himself as he stared at the same sight. Virgil growled, well aware people were still watching, and darting forward - grabbing the hero by the collar of his shirt and holding him close, making sure his expression was mean enough to appease any watching cameras even as he whispered his split second plan to the hero.

“I’m going to ‘kidnap’ him,” Virgil said, voice barely a hiss, “And run, make it look like you beat me and then get the people in that building out- I’ll make sure he’s okay back at the apartment. ”

“Be careful, Darling,” Janus told him, before transforming into a giant beast and grabbing Virgil, with a snarling growl, flinging him across the street towards the knocked out civilian. Virgil landed expertly, made a show of looking around as if disoriented and got up. Janus roared and Virgil took that as his cue to run, scooping up the civilian and grabbing his things on a second thought before grabbing one of his clouds and swiftly escaping the scene, starting a downpour as he did so. He hoped maybe it would help with the fire. 

He really didn’t want innocent people to get hurt. 

—

When Virgil arrived at the apartment building, the civilian now fully unconscious in his arms, he was stopped by his security guy, Logan. Virgil groaned internally as Logan questioned why Virgil was carrying some knocked out guy and why the fuck he had a guitar. 

“Don’t question me ,” Virgil snapped, his voice slipping into his supervillain persona’s for a moment, startling Logan. He’d have to apologise later, but he had no time for Logan’s never ending questions right now, “When Viper gets here, let him in.”

Logan looked at him skeptically, but Virgil’s expression hardened, practically daring Logan to argue with him. Eventually he just sighed and nodded, allowing Virigl to make his way into the building. He saw Logan rub his forehead out the corner of his eye as he walked away. Maybe he should make him an apology cake.

Carrying the civilian up the stairs was easy when you were able to manipulate the wind to give you a boost. When Virgil finally arrived at his apartment he went straight to the spare room and laid Roman down carefully on the bed, placing the guitar and bag nearby before setting about checking him for injuries. 

He wasn’t burned, thank goodness, but Virgil was worried about his shoulder where the debris must’ve slammed into him. There were bits of it embedded in his skin and the joint looked dislocated. Virgil just prayed that was the worst of it as he - as gently as he could - popped his shoulder back into place and removed the biggest pieces of debris. Cleaning him up and bandaging his shoulder properly. He was used enough to doing this for himself by now. 

Until Virgil heard Janus arrive at his front door, Virgil stayed sitting by the bed, making sure the civilian was okay the entire time.

—

Roman felt groggy when he woke up, like he’d drunk too much at a party or something, though he couldn’t remember any party. This wasn’t his house either - the bed he was lying on felt unfamiliar - and very soft. The covers were tucked up to his chin and he felt very warm and safe here as he stared up at the plain ceiling. No fluorescent lights - so probably not a hospital either. Where the hell was he?

From the next room, he could hear voices, though he couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. When he tried to move up, pain shot through his shoulder enough to make him gasp - and then his head started to feel like it was splitting apart. Right, he remembered now. 

Just because Roman remembered what had happened to him before he had clearly passed out, that didn’t help him to understand where the hell he was, or who was talking in the other room, or who these lovely purple bed covers belonged to. 

His head was killing him, so he closed his eyes again. 

“He’s been asleep for almost a full day now,” He heard someone say, the sound causing shooting pains in his skull, was that voice kinda familiar? It felt like it was, but Roman couldn’t place it, “I’m starting to worry it might be worse than a bump on the head.”

“Perhaps it would have been better to take him to a hospital, Darling.” The second voice said - this one was even more familiar than the first. He started to think he must be dreaming, though, because surely Viper wasn’t actually here. He’d heard that voice enough in interviews and publicity stunts, maybe he was dreaming?

“Yeah well - it wasn’t like we had much time to make that call,” The other voice huffed. 

“I know,” Viper sighed, “If he doesn’t wake up in the next half hour we should take him to the closest hospital.”

The other voice scoffed, “And what, tell them: ‘Oh hey doctor, here’s this guy I almost killed yesterday and then kidnapped because we didn’t know what to do!’ How would that go over, you think?”

“...You’ve got a point,” Said Viper. Roman stewed in his own thoughts as he pretended to sleep, yesterday, almost killed, kidnapped - that familiar voice… Was that Tempest ?? - what the hell was Tempest doing here with Viper, and had they really kidnapped him? What the fuck was happening?

Roman groaned softly as the pain in his head spiked and both of them went silent.

“Is he awake?” Tempest asked, Viper made a noncommittal noise in response, before seemingly walking over. 

“Hello, darling,” Viper said, voice much closer now, “Are you awake?”

That soft tone was so different from the sarcastic, sassy persona he always displayed for the public. It made Roman feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

“Hey- I thought I was ‘darling’!” Tempest said, from further away. He sounded like he was pouting and Roman resisted the urge to laugh as he peeled open his eyes again, having to blink a few times as the light made his head spin.

“You’re ‘Darling’, with a capital ‘D’, Darling, everyone else is a lowercase ‘d’ darling,” Viper dismissed, before looking back at him and smiling. That was Viper alright, his signature scales were glittering gold in the dim light of the room and his mismatched eyes - one blue, one gold - were looking at him with an expression so caring and soft Roman almost reeled back. Why on earth was the hero looking at him that way? His hair was loose, tumbling to his shoulders in blonde waves and topped with a fancy hat that seemed a little silly compared to the comfortable clothes he was wearing. 

His gaze wandered warily to where Tempest stood, a fair ways behind Viper - leaning on the wall beside the door. His identity wasn’t quite so obvious, considering his costume consisted of a mask and a hood. But Roman recognised his electric purple hair and violet eyes regardless. He had his hands stuffed in the pockets of an oversized hoodie and seemed fairly relaxed in posture. 

“Will you sit up and drink something for me, darling?” Viper asked, gently placing a hand on Roman’s shoulder to help him up. The movement made him feel dizzy, but he did think water would be pretty nice right now. 

“...Where am I?” Roman asked after taking a sip of cold water from the glass Viper pressed into his hands. 

“My apartment,” Tempest answered, not moving from across the room. 

“...Why?” He asked, frowning.

“I needed to get you out of the way so that Jay here could save the people in that building,” Tempest shrugged, earning a look from the hero, he groaned, “He’s literally in my house - I don’t think him knowing the first letter of your name is a real issue, here.”

Roman frowned, “Wait- but-” He thought, trying to put the pieces together, hadn’t Tempest struck that building with lighting? “Didn’t you… mean to set it on fire?”

“What? No, of course not,” Tempest looked almost offended at the accusation, “I missed with the strike, that’s all.”

Confused, Roman looked between them, Viper chuckled, “There’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than you know, dear,” He said, gently patting Roman’s shoulder. He felt himself melt beneath the touch. 

“Like… what?” Roman asked.

“Things you don’t need to know about,” Tempest said, finally pushing himself off of the wall to walk closer. He sat back down on the edge of the bed and offered something to Roman, “Here, painkillers - if you need them - you took a nasty hit, they’re still in the packaging.”

Roman watched the both of them as he took the painkillers, examining the packet before taking one.

“I… owe you an apology for that, too, had I known you were standing there I would’ve made sure the debris didn’t hit you.”

It suddenly made a lot more sense why despite how destructive and violent Viper and Tempest’s fights were, no civilian ever actually got hurt. 

“Thank you for the warning, by the way, darling,” Janus told him, shifting to gently card fingers through Roman’s hair.

“Hm?” Tempest asked, looking up in confusion.

“He warned me about the fire… I’m assuming you used your power?” Roman nodded, “I’m sorry I couldn’t act on it sooner.”

“It’s… fine, I just wanted to do something - did everyone get out okay?” Roman asked.

“Yes,” Janus nodded, “I got everyone out unharmed.”

Roman breathed a sigh of relief, wincing at the pain in his shoulder as he did so. He looked around at the other two, before sighing and resting his head back against the headboard. 

“That’s good,” He mumbled. 

“You’re welcome to go back to sleep,” Tempest said, “As long as you eat something first - you’ve been out for at least twenty-four hours by now.”

Roman groaned, even though Tempest was right, he was hungry, and having attention drawn to that fact just made him hungrier. 

“Fine,” He mumbled. Tempest looked thoughtful for a moment, before nodding to himself.

“How about I order pizza for the three of us,” he suggested, “We haven't eaten dinner either - do you like pizza?”

“What kind of heathen doesn’t like pizza?” Roman asked, trying not to laugh. Laughing hurt. Tempest chuckled and pulled out his phone. 

For a long few minutes, they just sat there. Viper was playing with his hair and Roman didn’t mind in the slightest - aside from being a little confused - and Tempest was messing around on a phone, supposedly ordering them pizza.

Eventually, Viper broke the silence, “What is your name, darling?” He asked. 

“Oh- it’s Roman,” Roman said, “Roman Piper.”

Tempest looked up from his phone, eyes a little wider than before, “Roman Piper, as in - the singer Roman Piper?”

Roman was too flabbergasted to speak for a moment, “I- yes- yes, that’s me, you’ve uh- you’ve heard of me?”

Viper just hid his face with his hand and chuckled as Tempest lit up.

“ Heard of you? Dude! I love your music!” He said, “I… can’t believe I fucking kidnapped my favourite music artist.”

Roman couldn’t help it, he snorted, bursting out laughing, though his cheeks were red, “I was actually um- here to do a few gigs… but uh- I think I appreciate this, actually, saves me the hospital bills.”

“Downtown? In that old bar a few days ago? I was there -”

Viper tapped him on the shoulder, leaning in and whispering, “He’ll talk about you for hours if we don’t stop him, darling, though - for the record, your music is lovely.”

Roman blushed a deep red, hiding his face in his hands. Don’t get him wrong! He loves meeting people who liked his music, but when those people where the most notorious villain in the country and his arch-nemisis (Though Roman was starting to think something else was going on there too) who he’d been looking up to for yours it was a little bit different.

“I’m supposed to be resting, right?” Roman said, interrupting whatever tangent Tempest was about to go on. 

“Yes, you are,” Viper said, smiling. 

“Hm,” Tempest said, “I could put on a movie or something while we wait for pizza?”

Roman brightened, “That sounds wonderful - hm… would it be a step too far if I asked for your real names?”

“Hmm…” Viper said with a soft smile, “You can call me Jay, if you’d like, it’s halfway there - perhaps I’ll give you my real name in the future, darling.”

Unable to help himself, Roman grinned - the idea that they might not part ways once this whole ordeal was over was a lovely one. He was honestly starting to quite like these two - not to mention how curious he was about whatever ‘behind the scenes’ things were going on. 

“If that’s what we’re doing,” Tempest said, standing up and offering a hand to Jay, who took it, in turn offering his arm to help up Roman, “then you can call me V, for now.”

“Lovely, both of you,” Roman smiled, letting Jay put his arm around Roman’s back for stability after he stumbled a little to lead him out of the bedroom to a dim, cozy living room strung with fairy lights. It was cute and warm and safe - very homely and cozy looking - totally not what he would’ve expected from the villain had he been asked two days ago. Now it seemed… a little more fitting. 

Jay guided him to sit down on the sofa and V quickly joined them after grabbing a small stack of DVDs that he handed to Roman to choose from. He was delighted to find that they were all disney. 

After a long period of deliberation that had V chuckling and Jay sighing, in exasperation, Roman finally settled on Moana - which he handed to V to put on. Before long, the three of them were squashed together on the two-seater sofa, with Roman in the middle. Something in the back of his mind told him that he shouldn’t feel as safe as he did, considering he was in the home of a supervillain, cuddled between two extremely powerful people who he didn’t really know the intentions of. 

But despite that, he felt the warm haze of sleep drift over him as the movie continued and they ate their pizza in calm, comfortable silence. 

Roman was passed out on Janus’ shoulder before the film even neared its end.

----

Tags: @full-of-roman-angst-trash @your-local-random-dino @cutebisexualmess @glacierruler @roseianxiety @bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti @scalesfeathersnfur (if anyone wants to be added, let me know!)

[i-am-bitterly-jittery]

On Death's Doorstep (pt 39/?)

[<<First],,,,[<Prev],[Next>] [ODD Masterlist]

Word count: 1381

Rating: Teen

Pairings: familial Losleep, past Logan/ofc, minor Karrot Kings & Anxceit

Warnings: dysfunctional family dynamics, past character death, I may have killed the therapist but we’re still managing to work through some feelings, google translate Spanish

~~~START~~~

A lot was happening in a very small amount of time and Remy suspected another move was in her future. Virgil’s dads — who were really nice — had been moved into the building and were now living in Janus’s spare room; Patton's room was still technically Roman’s spare room, but he’d been sleeping downstairs with his grandpas for the past few days. It would make more sense for them to have their own floor, besides Remy had been living in Roman’s room on Roman’s floor essentially all by herself ever since Virgil left. 

Not that this really counted as living by herself, Barbra — who she wasn’t comfortable calling grandma just yet — or the twins, or Virgil’s dads were constantly popping in to check on her. Janus hadn’t been around much, and Remy knew they were up to something, but no one would tell her what it was.

She hadn’t seen Logan since the day after Virgil left, and she was perfectly content to go on not seeing him. 

But all good things — not that this was very good, it was neutral at best — must come to an end, and when Remy heard at knock at the door, she found that it had been Logan. 

“Remy,” Logan inclined his head, making no move to try to step past her into the apartment. 

“Logan.” Maybe she was imagining it, but she thought he winced at the use of his name. 

“You can’t hate me forever,” Logan stated, a faint undercurrent of anger coloring his voice. 

“Wanna bet?” Remy arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms. She had plenty of experience arguing with would-be father figures from arguing with Mike, Logan had no idea what he was in for. 

“I did not kill you–”

“You think that’s what I’m mad about?” Remy demanded, cutting him off vehemently. 

Logan frowned, attempting to push his glasses further up his nose despite the fact that they had not slipped down even a millimeter. 

“I do not see any other reason for your hostility towards me.”

“Estúpido!” Remy hissed, throwing her hands up in frustration. “Completo idiota! Lo siguiente que me vas a decir es que no sabes de dónde vienen los bebés! Eres un genio, te apuesto–”

“El príncipe es estupido!” Logan interjected suddenly, completely derailing Remy’s train of thought as she struggled to figure out what that meant. 

“What?”

Logan’s gaze locked on the door hinges as he actually looked embarrassed for the first time since Remy had met him. 

“I–” he started, cutting himself off and starting again. “I am ashamed to admit that spoken languages have never been my strong suit, and even when I was living with your mother I never reached a level of fluency required to understand native speakers when they truly got going.”

“…so you told me that the prince is stupid?” Remy asked. Surely there was something she was missing that would make this whole interaction make sense, she just couldn’t see what it was. 

“Yes,” Logan agreed and refused to elaborate further. 

The two of them stood in awkward silence for a moment before Remy decided to bite the bullet. 

“So what happened?” She asked. “Between you and mom, I mean.”

“Your mother, as you likely know, does not like superpowers,” Logan started slowly. 

Remy nodded, her mom had never said as much — not to her anyway — but over the years she’d gotten the sense that Remy’s powers stressed her mom out quite a bit. The manner of Remy’s death probably hurt her almost as much as her actual death. 

“I was well aware of that while I was dating her, but as I had no intentions of becoming either a hero or a villain, I thought… perhaps I could be an exception.” Logan was clearly deeply uncomfortable with this conversation by the way he was twitching and shifting, but he continued. “I did not tell her that I had powers. One day, a month before your third birthday, she found me using my technokinesis in my workshop. She decided to leave and take you with her.”

“And what?” Remy demanded. “You just let her go? You didn’t want me?”

“Of course I wanted you!” Logan snapped. “But your mother wanted nothing to do with me! She threatened to turn me in to the authorities should I ever try to contact her or you again.”

“For having powers?” Remy asked. “That’s not a crime.”

“For selling my technology to supervillains.”

“Oh.”

All the fight drained out of Remy then, she was still angry, but she couldn’t exactly be upset at Logan for leaving if her mom had been the one to leave him. 

“Technokinesis sounds cool,” She said eventually, grimacing at the way Logan lit up at the clear opening. 

“Thank you. Successful inventions do require a knowledge base to build off of, but just allowing the technology to control itself does allow for some interesting experimentation. If you don’t mind me saying, I have noticed that you’ve added some interesting technology of your own to your repertoire.”

Remy shifted in embarrassment. “Yeah well… I just reverse engineered some shit I stole off of Gemini, which… were yours, weren’t they?”

“It was indeed my ‘shit’ that you got from Roman and Remus,” Logan preened. “I have been very impressed with your engineering talents; your ability to recreate and improve upon unfamiliar technology is astounding!”

“Uh, thanks,” Remy mumbled, not quite used to this level of excitement or encouragement from a parental figure. “Is that what you wanted to talk about? My ‘engineering talents’?”

“Ah, no,” Logan shifted from excited to almost embarrassed quickly. “I– I am aware that you are uncomfortable in my presence as I am your absentee father, as it were, and a supervillain, but I would like you to move in with me. On the top floor.”

Remy narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

“For many reasons,” Logan replied, slipping into teacher-mode. “For one, you are a minor, and living by yourself would supply you with undue amounts of stress–”

“I’m seventeen,” Remy objected. “And I’m hardly living by myself.”

“For another thing,” Logan continued, heedlessly. “Janus has informed me that living with their pseudo in-laws is ‘incredibly awkward’, and moving the Flores-Sanderses and Patton to their own floor would benefit everyone involved immensely. And finally, I cannot live with my mother anymore, she is driving me up the wall, so to speak.”

“Babs?” Remy asked. “What’s wrong with Babs?”

Logan’s eyebrows twitched every time Remy called his mom “Babs”, but he declined to comment on the use of the nickname. “As I’m sure you are aware by now, my mother is clairvoyant. I do not appreciate my every thought being taken as an invitation to have a conversation. I love my mother very much, but living with her is an exhausting exercise in control.” 

Remy couldn’t help the way her lips twitched into a smirk. 

“It is not funny!” Logan snapped. “I am a grown man, I do not need my mother weighing in on my dietary decisions!”

“That’s rough, buddy,” Remy deadpanned. 

“Do not think I don’t recognize an Avatar quote when I hear one, my brother was quite a fan of cartoons and he was very insistent that I watch that particular one with him. He said I was very much like Sokka and was adamant that there were many important lessons to be learned from the program.”

“He sounds smart,” Remy commented, well aware that the twins claimed Logan was reluctant to talk about Emile Picani. 

“He was very smart,” Logan agreed with a far off look in his eyes. “His methods were unconventional, but effective nonetheless. He would have been an exceptional therapist, or anything else he set his mind to.”

Remy shifted uncomfortably, she knew what was coming, but she still couldn’t quite believe it when the words slipped past her lips. “I’ll move in with you.”

“…really?” Logan asked incredulously. “You do not need to decide right away.”

“No I– I’m sure. After all, someone needs to save you from living with your mom well into your seventies.”

“I am not in my seventies,” Logan frowned. 

“Not yet,” Remy teased, relishing the way Logan’s frown deepened. 

He wasn’t ‘dad’, not yet, but so far, he was a vast improvement on Mike. 

~~~END~~~

It’s been three months since the last time I posted a chapter 😅 I had a two-ish month writing slump that I’ve finally managed to work through, plus

It’s the TWO YEAR anniversary of ODD!!!

ODD taglist:

@royalty-of-all-things-snuggly @pixelated-pineapple @arsonic-knight @misunderstood-shadowling @lost-in-thought-20 @remy-the-lemon-berry @jinxcrafter @apinkline2715 @gothfoxx @donutsarepartybagels @xoaningout @meganmoneky14 @lunatatic

[twofacedbelief]

last seen: putting others first - selfishness vs. selflessness redux favourite characters: janus, remy favourite ships: roceit, anxceit, sleepceit, anxceitmus self-insert ships: remance, remanceit oc: stimulation | ira sanders blocked tags: prinxiety, moceit proshipper; don't like? don't read!

Lance • They/Them or Sea/Sear/Seas • Adult Quoiromantic & Bi/Ace • Autistic

Otherkin: Water/Ocean/Faerie • Former endogenic system

currently writing: belief is deceit is belief & Photophobia

Canon setting

Modern setting

Antemori Shores Music and Memories [anxceit]

Fantasy of Eldritch and Gifted [dukexiety, dukesleepceit, rosleepceit]

[links to be added later, au names and layout may change]

Collabs with @anxiouslyfred vampiceit - canon setting, janus is a vampire disguised as a snake, anxceitmusleep dnau - remus gets into dna tests, janus' dna keeps changing, janus has an identity crisis mafiau - fake marriage turn into taking over a mafia, dukexiety, rosleepceit, freed androids becoming family dragonau - janus is a dragon that hoards boyfriends [needs better description]

AUs from the 4 year break idolau - remy is an idol forced to be the face of scandals, janus is a barista with a dark past, virgil is a bartender trying to save money, roman is struggling to get a role, remus probably has a job and a home, oh and most of them live in the same shitty building marvelau - janus get spider powers, janus is very hot, spideypool, dukexiety, future sleepceit, one-sided roceit

AUs that I think about belief!dee - deceit used to be belief, king is the only one who knows, qpp kingceit, roceit, remus has abandonment trauma, remus is obsessed w roman [belief is deceit is belief] fakimals - remus is thought to be the only dark side because virgil and janus are always in animal form, the animals will still pop up if they disagree with something, ignoring the animals doesn't end well, qpp anxceit, slow roceit local cryptids au - schrodingers sleepxiety -> creepxiety, lomile, roceit, tobus, logan raised the twins, remy and virgil raised dee, virgil's youtube audience has lots of questions, remy owns fluidi-tea the coffee shop [local cryptids] ts magic au - ironshell, deceit has too many people attracted to him, deceit is the only human, fae shouldn't be trusted but also the twins are fae

Other AUs art heist au, bread au, fairytale au, garbage au, haunted motel au, ill-fitting powers, kingceit human au, powerswap au, pride!roman au, sideswap au, soft vibes au, snakely escape au, the coincidence au, toddler dee au, ts sunflower au, ts tangled au, ts witch au, unexpected roommates au, wtnv au

Dead AUs crazy ex au, dead spouses au, deceit too au, hogwarts au, parent teacher au, soulmate wings au, the high school au, ts avatar au, ts mythology au, ts universe au, twin omens au, yet another youtube au

[naminethewriter]

One's Hometown, One's New Home

Chapter Seven: Learning About Each Other

Masterpost | First | Previous | Ao3

@tss-anxceit-week

Summary: Janus’ hometown is a usually quiet place where everyone knows everyone. So when someone new moves in, they’re usually the hottest topic of local gossip. The newcomer then comes by the library Janus works at, he can’t help but chat with him a little. Doesn’t hurt that he’s good looking as well.

Content Warnings: None, just fluff 💛💜

~~*~~

Janus smiled as he saw Virgil enter the diner. It was their first date. After they kissed, they both agreed that it was too early for them to commit to a relationship, but they wanted to give dating a try. Thankfully, Virgil’s leg was fully healed only two days later, so they agreed on having dinner together that Friday.

“Hello,” Janus greeted as Virgil closed the distance. “You look dashing today.”

The other flushed.

“I didn’t really do anything different.”

“Really now? So you didn’t pay extra attention to your make-up, ironed your shirt and wore a pair of pants that came fresh out of the wash?”

“Stupid naga senses,” Virgil mumbled, his face becoming an even deeper red. “Like you didn’t dress up.”

“Oh, I did,” Janus grinned, spinning on the spot so let his long, black skirt twirl. “I just don’t mind admitting to it.”

“Let’s just go in already,” Virgil sighed and Janus chuckled. He opened the door to the diner and let Virgil step in first.

“Jan! Hi!” Amilia, an older woman that had worked there for ages, greeted. “And looking so handsome as well. You’re going to get all the ladies talking about you again.”

“I can’t help it that I have the best fashion sense in this town,” Janus winked and Amilia laughed, leading them to an empty table.

“Be right with you two.” She hurried away.

“It’s still weird to me how you know everyone no matter where you go.” Virgil shook his head, looking after her.

“You’ll get used to it. I’m sure, soon enough you’ll get to know most of them, too. The only reason they haven’t talked your ear off is because you seem like you’d have a heart attack if they looked at you for too long.”

“Stop messing with me.”

“I’m not!”

Virgil looked at Janus with a raised brow and he held up his hands in defense.

“Okay, maybe I’m wording it in a way to tease you, but essentially it’s true. You’re a very obvious introvert and they don’t want to scare you off. So they focus their attention on me to give you a chance to get used to things.”

“You country folk are weird.” Despite Virgil’s words, Janus could see him trying to hide a smile.

“Then tell me more about what ‘city folk’ are like.” Janus actually mimed quotation marks and Virgil couldn’t help but laugh.

From there their conversation flowed easily. They swapped stories about their childhoods, discussed their favorite movies, discovered that they had the same favorite author and so on. The food was also delicious, and Janus was very comfortable. He did notice however, that Virgil got more tense as the evening continued, so he declined Amilia’s offer of the dessert menu and instead asked for the check.

Virgil insisted on paying, in part as a thank you for Janus helping him with his leg. Janus let him with the condition that he could cook for him next time.

As they stepped out of the diner – which had gotten a bit crowded over time – Janus watched Virgil’s shoulders relax.

“Was it too much in there?” he asked as they walked down the street. Their homes were in the same direction and a comfortable walking distance away.

“Of course you noticed,” Virgil sighed but there was a fondness in his voice. “Yeah, but I’ve always been more comfortable outdoors than inside. I’m also a bit claustrophobic. Since the whole wolf thing it’s become almost an urge to go outside sometimes. The familiar I am with a space, the better it is though.”

“Well then, I will make sure to consider that for any future dates.” Janus winked at Virgil whose cheeks turned red again.

~*~

True to his word, Janus invited Virgil to his home for their next date.

“Welcome, Virgil dear,” he greeted him at the door. “I’m still in the middle of preparing the food. I hope you won’t mind joining me in the kitchen.”

“Not at all. Nice apron.” Virgil took off his boots as Janus already hurried back to the stove.

“Thank you! It was a gift from my grandmother.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed with the embroidered ‘Granny’s favorite.’”

“She was the kind to embarrass me on purpose,” Janus laughed.

“Well, you’re the one who chose to use it during a date,” Virgil pointed out as he entered the kitchen and looked over Janus’ shoulder. “You want any help with that? I’m not a great cook, but I’m sure I could do something useful.”

“No,” came the immediate reply.

“You didn’t have to turn me down that fast,” Virgil laughed to hide how he was slightly hurt by the quick rejection.

“Sorry.” Janus turned down a dial on the stove before turning to Virgil with a sheepish expression. “It’s nothing personal, I just don’t like cooking with others. I have my systems and can get very irritated when something’s out of place.”

“Oh. That’s kind of funny.”

“Be quiet and sit down,” Janus pouted and Virgil laughed.

~*~

“A festival?”

“Yes, the next town over. A forty-minute drive from here. They have food stalls, a small rollercoaster and a ferris wheel. I’ve been a few times, it’s a nice atmosphere. Plus, there’s a firework show at the end.” Janus held out the flyer for Virgil to take but he looked very reluctant.

“I don’t know. Sounds like a lot of people.”

Janus narrowed his eyes. “There’s more to it than that. I don’t mind not going but please be honest with me about your reasons. I don’t want to overstep any of your boundaries if I can help it.”

Virgil mumbled something under his breath. Janus put the flyer away and grabbed his hands gently.

“Louder, please? I promise I won’t think any less of you.”

“The fireworks. I don’t like fireworks. They’re loud and since my turning my hearing’s gotten better, so it’s even worse now.”

“Okay. That’s fine. We can leave early if that’s the main reason. Of course, we don’t have to go at all either.”

“No, I’d like to go. As long as we’re gone before the fireworks start.”

“Wonderful. I’ll look forward to it.”

~*~

“She really should have known better,” Janus commented, eyes fixated on the screen as they watched The Princess Diaries. Mia was just running away from the paparazzies after her kiss with Josh. “Like he was so obviously only after the publicity.”

“She’s fifteen and had a crush on him for ages, give her some slack,” Virgil snorted.

“I was smarter when I was fifteen.”

“Oh, shut up. You wanted to watch this movie. You said it’s one of your favorites.”

“It is! Doesn’t change the fact that Mia is a bit stupid in this one.”

“Like she learned anything for the second one. She’s just as bad with Nicholas.”

“True. Maybe she shouldn’t lead a country.”

They continued their back and forth throughout the rest of the movie and Virgil couldn’t help but watch Janus more than the screen.

~*~

Virgil couldn’t concentrate on his book. He and Janus were reading on the latter’s couch, enjoying the quiet afternoon. It’s been three weeks since the bear trap incident and honestly, Virgil hadn’t thought he could get so comfortable with another person so quickly.

Which made the prospect of the coming full moon all the more anxiety inducing.

Yes, Janus knew he was a werewolf. Had even already seen him in his wolf form. But it would be different this time.

This time he would know that it was him.

Virgil wasn’t worried that he would hurt him – he had the wolf fully under control – but impulse control was a lot harder, and he was wanton to do some embarrassing things.

“Virgil dear?”

Janus’ voice startled him out of his thoughts and he looked over to the other who had placed his book down and watched him with worried eyes.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, fine.” His voice broke and Janus looked at him unimpressed but empathetic. (Only he could pull that look off, somehow.) “Just thinking too much,” he admitted. Janus offered him his hand and Virgil took it gratefully. Somehow just holding on to Janus calmed him down.

“It’s just that the full moon’s approaching, so I’ll need to shift at least a few hours each day to be comfortable and… I’m kind of embarrassed.”

Understanding lit up in Janus’ eyes and he smiled.

“Oh, darling, I’m sure it will only endear me to you more.”

“You don’t know that.”

“True. But from what you told me, it sounds like a fun time. I actually look forward to seeing you a bit more loose than usual. You so rarely let yourself truly relax.”

“I’m probably going to drag you with me to the woods.”

“That’s fine. I like the woods. I’ll make sure to keep a flashlight and compass on my person.”

“I’ll want to play.”

“I’d love to see that.”

“I’m gonna get cuddly.”

“Oh no, the horror!” Janus exclaimed with an eyeroll. He looked at Virgil with a teasing smile on his lips. “I promise you, dear, I’ll come into it with an open mind and not judge you for what the wolf you does. I might tease you a bit about it, but you have to cut me some slack, you’re just too adorable when you get red like that.”

Virgil buried his head in his knees to hide his flush.

“You’re being unfair.”

“Sorry, you just make it so easy and fun to do.”

“I hate you.”

“Then let go of my hand.”

“No.”

Janus chuckled and returned to his book. Virgil squeezed his hand and he squeezed back. It truly felt like home.

[muppetable]

Why anxceit? /gen

I don't get it - In canon, they hate each other. (or at least, Virge really dislikes Jan)

it's one of those ships where like you see it more as a thing that already happened or could happen, rather than already happening. do they hate each other because they're exes? will they make up in the future? it's a fun idea to experiment with!!

also because their banter seems more like that of an old married couple rather than just pure hatred so i like them being like divorced but still pining

it's a ship that doesn't have much basis in canon but is so fun to play around with.

[loganslowdown4]

Incorrect Quotes

November 2023

- January 2024

Pay It Behind

Factually Incorrect (Logan’s Bday)

Make You Cry

Milkshake. (Intruality)

The Darkness

I Made Tea

Don’t Correct Me

Upsexy

Updog (sequel)

Free Kicks (Demus)

Fluffy The Chicken (sorta logicality IQ sequel)

Chef Compliments (moceit)

Cake Punch

Gay Looks (logince)

Future Nuptials (analogical)

Cold Topic

Fix My Door (Intrulogical)

Nothing Can Cheer Me Up (prinxiety)

Heart Worm (analogical)

Glitter Inside (logince)

Leave Out The Buts

Borrow Your Best Friend (moceit)

Race Up The Stairs (prinxiety)

Pass the Salt

A Video Call (prinxiety)

Insanely Obvious Hints (Moxiety)

Mean Sides (Jan/Remy)

In The Dark (Lomoceit)

Anticipating Needs (Logince)

Principles (prinxiety)

Attic

Chores Before Whores (moceit)

Bisexual Hands (logicality)

My Job Is Sword

Stress Ball

Bored Drama

Light Me Up (royality; anxceit)

Come Out (royality)

Loud Annoying Kidnapping

Flowers For You (multi ship)

Maternal Figure/Problem Child

Bad Boys With Kittens

Everyone To Therapy! (Emile’s Birthday!)

Hugging The Ground

Wrong Lunch

Time Is A Construct (Vee’s Birthday)

Swinging At Demons

Pits Of Hell Bath Bomb

Can’t Swim

Where’s the trust?

Christmas Dinner

Straight Up Cry

Bang Your Fist Against Mine

Surgery

Never Moved So Fast

YOU’RE IN CHARGE?!

NYE Sanders Sides

Queerios

Bath Toaster

Uncooperative

Screw Me If I’m Wrong (prinxiety)

We Thought You Knew (analogical)

Irresponsible

Fell Onto His Lips (logince)

[touchtranscendslanguage]

essentially anxceit week is a way to create short drabbles or art peices based on the prompt voted on. tss-anxceit-week is the new account that you could apply to to find out more. theres a forms on there that explains it better then i have

Sounds like fun, but I'm honestly no good at drabbles, they always turn into longer stories lol. Might be something I'd want to try in the future, but I doubt I'll be participating this year. I'm definitely excited to see what everyone else does, though!

[nandysparadox]

thanks for the tag :D

When did you post your first fanfic?

can't say exactly but 2017! it was a short little thing i posted on amino but it counts XD

First Character you wrote for:

it was an undertale au fic so. frisk i suppose?

Main character(s) you're currently writing for:

roman <333 although i do write from patton and remus' pov often enough 😆

Character(s) you haven't written about before but plan on writing about soon

no current plans in regard to that, I've written about all the sides before i think so all there's left is ts shorts characters

Fandom(s) you're currently writing for:

sanders sides (i might do more for roleslaying with roman in the future though if the mood strikes me)

Platonic pairing(s) you currently write for:

platonic moceit and moxiety are everything to me ����

Romantic pairing(s) you currently write for:

royality and dukexiety gdkkd im not opposed to writing more ships in the future though, i just haven't got ideas for them (anxceit is the exception 👀)

Your top three tags on AO3 (if you post your works on AO3):

Fluff, Alternative Universe - Human, Hurt/Comfort (same hat !👒)

Your current platform where you post your works:

ao3 and on tumblr !

Snippet of A WIP you're currently working on:

here's a sneak-peek of the next chapter ;)

You’d think that if he’d get one thing right it would be his job, but here they were. Yet again he led Thomas to unachievable goals, chasing dreams he couldn't fulfill. But he supposed that was his role — dreaming, wanting. Falling when unable to reach it, heat on his fingertips when he nearly touched it, ever the Icarus. After all, it was human nature to want, and he’d made up that part.

No pressure tags: @vinbee631, @creativia10, @typically-untypical

❦ ➷ get to know your fellow fanfic writers better ༊ ✧.*

I had fun doing this! ♡

when did you post your first ever fanfic?

January 2017, I think. wow, it’s been 6 years! (no, I’m not giving you my Wattpad username)

first character you wrote for:

Joker. it was during my Wattpad era. I have zero regret, but I’m not giving the link lol

main character(s) you’re currently writing for:

Daniel Harrow & Henry Creel (as in separate fics that aren’t crossover, but wouldn’t it be nice if I wrote a crossover with these two…)

character(s) you haven’t written about before but plan on writing about soon:

Henry Morgan (from Forever tv) !! also, I’d love to write more about Captain Jack Sparrow

fandom(s) you’re currently writing for:

Harrow & Stranger Things

platonic pairing(s) you currently write for:

Daniel Harrow & Simon Van Reyk (Harrow), Henry Creel & Eleven (Stranger Things)

romantic pairing(s) you currently write for:

I know it’s been more than a year since my last update so I can’t say currently, but Loki/Mobius. other than that the more recent one is Will Byers/Mike Wheeler but even then, it’s still rare. so I guess I focus more on writing platonic relationships lately (honestly it just depends on the characters whom my hyperfixation is on and whether their relationship with the other characters is romantic or platonic.)

your top 3 tags on AO3 (if you post your works on AO3):

whump, hurt/comfort & angst

your current platform where you post your works:

tap HERE for my AO3

snippet of the wip you’re currently working on:

should be posted hopefully within the next few days!

But Harrow forced a smile as he greeted Simon with a hug. And when he hugged Simon, his smile became real. And for a moment Harrow could forget the guilt and the shame he carried with him. For a moment, he could really breathe, knowing that Simon was safe. In his arms.

* aka a fix-it fic where Simon lives.

🏷️ no pressure tags at random: @foodiewithdahoodie @queereldritch @bebataylor84 @ohfallingdisco @eddiemunsons-missingnipple @sillylittlerock @jcbbby @maladaptive-jcb @highwarlockofphilly @can-of-pringles @mirilyawrites @chaos-monkeyy @harringroveera @medium-rare-bimbo @deliaqbower @ripcreel @rins-love-wins @okilokiwithpurpose @lokisgoodgirl @loki-is-my-kink-awakening @daddiesdrarryy @loki-hargreeves @zodiyack @cha-melodius @insert-witty-user-name-here @dewdropreader @blackbirdofasgard @mimisempai @underwhelmingalchemist @excusemefangirlhere @abitofboth @worstloki @littlekinng @andiwriteordie @cluelessbees @suzieburself @waroftheposes @drop-of-infinity @bookinit02 @bizarrelittlemew @ghostalservice @pilkingtonian @thefatedthoughtofyou @brbsoulnomming @spooky-brakers @cosmicanamnesis @cranberrymoons @onirislanding @thefreakandthehair @thisapplepielife — if I didn’t tag you and you’d like to join, please do! everybody is welcome

[tss-anxceit-week]

We're already halfway through the week! Time sure flies when you're having fun. Get ready for...

Day 4: 💜 Free Day!* 💛

*As the name suggests, you are free to choose whatever prompt you like on Day 4! Go wild! Need ideas? Perhaps some of these honorable mentions from the submissions can inspire you: Lantern, Denial, Web, Photoshoot, Past/Future, Shedding, Nightfall, Sewing, Capes.

As always, be sure to tag this blog (@tss-anxceit-week) and include the tag #anxceitweek2023 when you post for this event.

Have fun! 💜💛

[edupunkn00b]

Dee, Chapter 7: The Way of Peace

Prev - The Way of Peace - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

Rated M - CW: vampirism, blood drinking, injuries, brief but graphic description of broken bone, graphic description of reset broken bone, sex referenced/implied - WC: 6979 ---

The monster in the shape of his dead brother twisted back his arm, tearing the tendons and shattering his bones. Geminus cried out and hid further down the dark alley, cradling his arm, fighting to stay conscious against the overwhelming pain as he watched his pack brethren leap down to his defense. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop the high pitched whine pushing past the back of his throat. His arm was on fire, every pant jostling the bits of broken bone, jabbing and grinding them into his flesh as his supernatural healing tried to make sense of his injury.

“Logan, Remus, get behind me!” Geminus thought he would be sick. Dracula spoke to its spawn like they were still people, desecrating his brother’s name. He watched from behind the edge of the dumpster, curled protectively around his wounded arm. He’d let down his brethren. He’d let down his pack. He’d jumped too soon. He just couldn’t stop himself. When he saw Dracula’s spawn pass the alleyway, when he saw with his own eyes what they’d done to his brother’s body… a white-hot rage filled his gut and he felt a roar press against his lips and his muscles and bones moved before he could even think.

And now Pathos and Ire were left to take on not three, but four bloodsuckers by themselves. He whined and winced in empathetic pain as he watched Dracula grab Pathos, twisting his fur and throwing him against the dumpster.

Get up, get up, get up, get up! He prayed. Those monsters’ll kill you if you don’t get up! Finally, Pathos shook himself and, glancing quickly in Geminus' direction, let out a low, soothing growl to tell him he was alright, and then he leapt back into the battle.

Outnumbered, Pathos and Ire still fought with everything they had. Ire snarled as he grabbed onto Dracula’s spawn with both paws, ripping and tearing at the monster’s flesh. Geminus cheered with a low growl when Ire managed to almost drive his teeth into the creature’s thin skin, scraping just deeply enough to draw blood and leave behind his venom. If nothing else, that made tonight a victory.

But it wasn’t a fair fight.

Dracula grabbed Pathos and shouted at him, its reptilian yellow eyes filled with animalistic fury. Then the impossible happened. The monster ordered Pathos to stop fighting and he did. Geminus watched, eyes wide, as Pathos froze in Dracula’s grip and changed from his powerful battle form and into his weak, vulnerable human form. By the word of the monster itself.

“Get out of here, now!” Dracula spat its command at Pathos. And he obeyed. Geminus shook his head. This can’t really be happening. Pathos isn’t a traitor. What is he doing? He watched, unable to believe his eyes, as Pathos let the monster wearing his brother’s skin pick up Dracula’s spawn, tossing its body over its shoulder like a sack of meat and retreat back to the sidewalk.

Geminus whined, hoping to draw Ire’s attention. They’re getting away! Quick, bite another

Then the smallest monster grabbed Ire, staring up at him with its tiny, cold blue eyes. “Go!” it shouted and Ire, powerful, strong, fullblood Ire curled in on himself at the words of the weak little bloodsucker and started to shrink down to his human size.

Geminus stared in horror as Ire simply backed away. He didn’t fight back, he didn’t bite, he didn’t even bare his teeth. He just obeyed the filthy little bloodsucker. Geminus whined in pain when Ire grabbed his fur as he passed, dragging him along. They fled down the alley together, following in Pathos’ cowardly steps.

---

Chopin played quietly in the room as Logan and Remus curled together on top of the covers on the bed, sitting up and leaning against the headboard.

Unknowingly, they mirrored Dee and Virgil’s positions downstairs, with Logan nestled against Remus’ side, the other's arm wrapped around his back, hand gently carding through his hair. Logan had taken off his glasses so they wouldn't poke against his skin. He hummed along to the melody, drawing little circles against Remus’ chest.

The music had been Logan’s idea. Sound traveled perhaps a little too well in the penthouse, but the soft piano helped, giving them something to distract their preternatural hearing in order to grant Dee and Virgil some degree of privacy. Even over the music, Logan and Remus were both confident they would quickly hear if Virgil was in distress and needed their help. But as the minutes ticked by and there was no sound above the quiet murmurs muffled by the sonata, the chance that Virgil would need saving grew slimmer and slimmer.

“How much time do you think we should…” Logan finally asked, tilting his head up to catch Remus’ eyes.

He shrugged with a tiny wince. “I’m… I’m not really sure.” Remus started to gnaw at his lip and Logan reached up, tugging it away before he could draw blood. He smiled a thanks and kissed Logan’s fingertips before holding his hand against his chest. “You’ve known Virgil longer. Do you… do you think he would ever go back?”

“To Europe? No. At least I… I don’t think so. His life is here now.”

“To Dee.”

Logan closed his eyes and buried his face against Remus’ chest, rubbing a cheek against his skin. He sank into Remus’ embrace and sighed. “I don’t know.”

Remus nodded, letting his own eyes fall closed as he breathed in the spicy coffee and cedar scent pouring from his sired. He wrapped his arms tightly around Logan, nuzzling against his hair.

“No matter what—” Logan’s voice caught in his throat and he roughly brushed away a tear that escaped his control. He shook his head. “No matter what Virgil decides to do, though…'' Again he looked up at Remus. “I want you and I to always be together. I won’t ever leave you.”

Remus smiled sadly and leaned in to kiss his lips. “Same for you, Love.” Logan reached for Remus’ shoulders, drawing him closer. Remus lifted him up and settled Logan onto his lap, dragging a hand through his hair before cradling the back of his neck and deepening their kiss.

When they finally broke apart, Logan leaned his forehead against Remus’, panting softly. “We could… we could easily get carried away up here.” Remus nodded, turning his head to leave a line of kisses up Logan’s throat and across his jaw. Logan whispered into Remus’ hair. “We should go downstairs to check on them.”

“Hm-hm,” Remus hummed against the other side of his neck, letting his mustache bristle against Logan's skin as he mouthed his soft flesh.

“Soon,” Logan murmured, pressing his body closer.

“Hm-hm,” he replied, slipping his fingers under the hem of Logan's shirt. “Soon….”

---

Later, Remus and Logan slowly opened the door to Virgil’s room, making no effort to quiet the sound of the hinges, and letting the last movement of Nocturne spill softly from the room. Logan called out, just loudly enough to let his voice carry, “Is it… is it alright if we come down?”

Dee’s low chuckle wafted up from where he still sat on the couch, Virgil curled against him, sleeping. “Yes. Yes, of course, please do.” He looked up just in time to catch them as they nodded to each other and, clasping hands, mimicked Dee’s earlier move and leapt over the edge. They landed safely, if not quite as softly as Dee had.

Raising his eyebrow at their exhilarated smiles, he purred. “Is this the first you’ve tried that?”

Logan nodded and tilted his head away, blushing. Remus grinned. “Yeah, it was fucking awesome,” he whispered.

Dee returned his smile. “I… I hope to show you more.” He met their eyes. “Both of you.” Logan and Remus’ smiles shrank as their eyes fell on Virgil and their earlier uncertainty returned.

All three fell silent, watching the gentle rise and fall of Virgil’s breathing. His wounds were completely closed, now just a series of bright red lines drawn across his skin. “I’ll—I'll get him a shirt,” Logan murmured before squeezing Remus’ hand and darting into his room where Virgil still kept a few sets of pajamas.

Remus called quietly over his shoulder. “Juice?”

Logan nodded as he slipped through the door. “Good idea.”

“I’ll be right back,” he said to Dee and left him alone again with Virgil. Remus quickly returned bearing a tray with the bottle of pineapple juice from the refrigerator and four tall glasses. With his shin, Remus nudged the coffee table closer to the couch and set down the tray.

Dee watched Remus as he sat on the floor in front of Virgil and poured the juice. “So, uh… you and Virgil, huh?” Remus murmured in a light voice belied by the shaking in his hands as he filled each glass.

Reaching out, Dee brushed his fingers along Remus’ shoulder. The pitcher slipped a bit from his hand, landing heavier on the tray than he’d intended. Remus turned to face him. “While I realize it was perhaps not solely for our benefit…” Dee glanced up at the bedroom, from which the faint strains of Holst were clearly audible to them through the closed door. “You and Logan do not need to hide away from me. Or ask permission to be here. This is… this is your home.” He looked down at Virgil and brushed a lock of hair from his face. “And your sire. If anything, I am the interloper.”

Remus nodded, eyes still on Virgil's face. "Thanks."

Dee looked down, watching Remus’ calloused hands as he continued to prepare their drinks. “Besides, I… I rather enjoy your company, Remus. I would… welcome the opportunity to get to know you better.”

“Hm,” Virgil grunted against Dee’s shoulder, eyes still closed. “Dee, are you hitting on Remus right in front of me?” He sat up and stretched, wincing against the bright light. He blinked, then smirked at them. “At least wait until I’m awake so I can help.”

Before Dee or Remus could respond, Virgil asked, “Where’s Logan?” as he looked around the room.

“I’m right here, V,” Logan whispered from his doorway, hugging a soft purple fleece against his chest. His voice was rough and eyes ringed in red. Virgil craned his neck and held out his arm.

“My star,” he called, and Logan moved to Virgil’s side, sitting on his knees next to him on the couch and draping his arms around his shoulders.

Logan sighed against him. “You are looking much improved.” He gently prodded the skin around his wounds, smile broadening at their rapid healing. “How are you feeling, though?”

“Much better. Thanks to you.” Virgil cupped Logan’s cheek and dragged his other hand through Remus’ hair before meeting Dee’s eyes. “Thanks to all of you.”

“We’re simply relieved that you are well.” Logan turned his head to kiss Virgil’s wrist. “We know you would have done the same for any of us.”

Remus stroked his thigh. “As you literally already have. And on that note,” He raised his hand with a flourish and twisted to grab one of the drinks on the table. He pressed the cold glass into Virgil’s hand. “Drink. I bet you need it.”

“Thank you, my Prince,” Virgil said, bending down to kiss his forehead and then his lips.

Grinnning, Remus picked up two more glasses, handing one to each Logan and Dee. Logan let his hand linger on Remus’ as he accepted it with a smile and sipped. Dee held his with both hands, inspecting the bright yellow liquid.

“I thought you were only using a euphemism when you suggested ‘juice.’” He looked at Remus. “Surely it’s acceptable to have something with a little more bite at this time of the evening.”

Remus tilted his head at the windows, lips twitching in a barely concealed grin. “The sun is up.”

“Just drink the damn juice, Dee,” Virgil laughed.

Logan chuckled, pushing up his glasses. “Actually, the bromelain enzymes in pineapples are sufficiently strong to break down protein chains into simpler amino acids. In fact, they're a common ingredient in meat tenderizers.” He took another long swig. “In a way, pineapple juice does have a bite.”

Dee merely raised an eyebrow and tilted his head as he sniffed at the glass.

“But that’s not why Virgil likes it,” Remus sang quietly, leaning back against Virgil’s leg, tilting his head to rest on his thigh and wink up at them.

“Oh… Are you referring to the belief that pineapple consumption may have a positive effect on the gustatory perception of”—Logan cleared this throat—”fluids?”

“Bingo,” Remus laughed, chugging half his glass.

“While there is a paucity of true scientific evidence to either support or refute such claims, anecdotal reports”—Logan adjusted his glasses—”seem to support such hypotheses.”

“Yep, Lo's saying it works.” He raised his glass to Dee and waggled his eyebrows.

Dee narrowed his eyes at Remus, then, smirking, clinked their glasses together and took a sip.

Laughing, Virgil stood and picked up the shirt Logan had brought for him. “You are all incorrigible!” Remus shifted when he stood up and, watching Dee out of the corner of his eye, lightly leaned against his knee. Dee let his free hand fall on his lap and rest next to Remus’ shoulder, stroking his skin with the backs of his fingers.

Logan stood, taking Virgil’s glass and setting it down with his own on the coffee table to help when Virgil winced as he stretched his newly healed shoulder. He grinned at him. “Whatever would you do if we were corrigible, V?”

Pulling him closer for a kiss, Virgil murmured against his lips. “I’d be very, very bored.”

---

“Why didn’t you warn us that Drac could enthrall werewolves?” Pathos crossed his arms in front of his broad chest, fighting to keep a calm exterior. He tried to sit at his desk but the shaking restlessness in his legs forced him to his feet and he paced the floor in his small office. Pathos took a few deep breaths. Ire could get away with losing his temper, but he could not.

Ire looked up from where he worked to reset the worst of the fractures in Geminus' arm. They’d waited too long to set it and the bones had healed poorly. “I didn’t think it was real. I thought it was just some trick.” Ire shook his head, growling. “I certainly never thought some pipsqueak little mosquito would be able to do it, too.”

“Well it looks like it can. And if it can do it, any bloodsucker could.” He pounded his fist on the table and the little recruit in the corner edged further against the wall, his uninjured hand gripping his moonstone.

“Oh, Geminus. Nobody's mad at you, Kiddo. Yes, you should’ve waited for the signal, but… I don’t think it would’ve made a difference either way tonight. Not with this new power they have.” Ire looked away.

The room was mostly silent, save Ire’s whispered warning, a sharp, wet snap, and a whine of pain as he broke and realigned the last of Geminus' fractures. Ire growled empathetically, stroking the hair around his ear. Geminus leaned against his hand for a moment, then nodded.

Ire wrapped a splint around his arm, securing it with a long bandage, winding slowly and checking the tension every few turns. Geminus was a particularly active recruit and could not be counted on to remain still long enough for the arm to heal without support.

He kept his eyes trained on the young hybrid’s arm and muttered to Pathos. “I’m not sure how new this power really is. He did this the first time I met him, as well… back when I first started.”

“What!? How could the Carpathian Guild keep this from us?”

“We weren’t sure. The thrall fades with distance and time and by the time I’d returned…” He sighed, helping Geminus adjust the straps on his sling. “We didn’t know if it was just the natural fading… or if it hadn’t even been real. They nearly expelled me over it.”

He stood. “You must understand. That book caused an uproar across Europe. We didn’t want to cause a panic. And we certainly didn’t want to give any of the damned bloodsuckers ideas. We needed to be sure before we raised an alarm. It shouldn’t be possible to enthrall us.”

“Well, clearly it is real.” Pathos growled.

“Why didn’t you come forward, then? Before this? Drac seemed to know you.

Pathos whined in the back of his throat, pacing the room.

“He compelled you not to, didn’t he?” Geminus finally spoke. Pathos lowered his head, curling his back away from the other two. “Did he do the same to you, Ire?”

“No. No, I don’t think so.” They were quiet for a long time, the stench of their fear pheromones stifling in the room.

“We have a real problem if we can’t trust each other.” Pathos finally spoke, looking each of them in the eye. “If we can’t even trust ourselves.” Ire and Geminus nodded, looking down at the floor.

“We're losing this war. We need a new plan.”

---

Laughing, Virgil was bringing the juice tray back to the kitchen when something was slipped under the front door. He set down the tray and picked up a light blue envelope, turning it around in his hands. It was unaddressed and had no postage stamps, adorned only with the Hunter’s Guild seal embossed on the back of the heavy linen paper.

Alerted by his sudden silence, the others gathered around. Dee’s eyes widened when he saw their mark. He rushed to the door, yanked it open and looked down the hall, searching for any evidence of which Hunter had delivered it.

Logan shook his head, staring at the envelope. Remus curled his arm around Virgil’s waist protectively. “We have a private entrance,” Logan said. “They’re trying to scare you by demonstrating they could get in.”

Dee closed and locked the door, scowling.

“There’s only one way to find out what they have to say.” Virgil brought the envelope back to the couch and tore it open. They gathered around him as he read the short letter inside. Remus read over his shoulder. Virgil looked up, eyes wide. “They want a meeting.”

He passed the note to Logan and Dee and they read together, exchanging a quick glance.

“They want to meet tomorrow morning, at the library on Fifth.” Logan’s brow crinkled. “That leaves them very little time to prepare and it’s a true neutral ground. They’d have no advantage.” He turned the letter over in his hands, sniffed it and held it out to Dee. “They’re panicking.”

Dee nodded. “We’ve revealed the Hunters’ quiet shame.”

“I believe you are correct.” Logan frowned at Virgil and Remus. “While Dee was enthralling the werewolves one at a time, they were able to maintain plausible deniability and could perpetuate the myth that the new Hunters could not be enthralled.” Logan returned the letter to Virgil. “But after last night—”

Dee nodded at Logan. “And last night Logan at least partially enthralled a pureblood.” He bowed his head slightly. “That was… impressive,” he murmured. Logan fidgeted with his sleeves, looking away until Virgil stroked his cheek.

“And there was a witness. That other hybrid.” Remus added. “I think I broke its arm.” He grinned wildly. “I sure hope I did.”

“It doesn’t give us much time to prepare, either,” Virgil said, looking down at the letter.

Remus stared at the other three. He shook his head. “We’re not seriously considering answering this creepy-ass summons to some giant library though, are we?”

Logan gestured to the letter. “It’s a safe location.”

“What, the books will keep us safe?” Remus snapped. Immediately he groaned, then moved to sit on the armrest next to Logan and buried his face against his hair. “Fuck, no… I’m sorry, Lo, I—”

Logan turned and tugged him down into a kiss. “It’s alright.” He shrugged. “In a way they will. That library is run by Thecari. It’s neutral ground. The protective spells over the space are there for everyone.”

Remus huffed out a little laugh. “But magic isn’t real…right?”

“‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’” Logan shrugged.

“Bibiliothecari simply use very old ‘sufficiently advanced technology.’”

Logan turned to Dee in surprise. “Are you familiar with them? How old are they?”

"How old are the Bibiliothecari?" He winked at Logan. "Or how old am I?"

Logan shrugged with a smirk.

Dee chuckled. “They were founded after the Library at Alexandria was destroyed. That day made it clear that libraries needed more than the biased and limited protection that a single political leader could provide.”

“Fascinating. What leads you to believe thecariwere a response to the attack on the Library and not a reactionary cause?”

Dee raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “I was there.”

“Really?” Logan leaned in closer to Dee, eyes bright. “So who actuallydestroyed The Library?”

Virgil sat back against the couch and watched Dee and Logan gossip about two thousand year old history. Remus stood, kissed the top of Logan’s head, then brought Virgil another glass of juice. He curled next to him, tucking up his feet and nestling against his shoulder. Virgil wrapped his arm around him and pulled him closer, fingertips brushing up and down his arm.

“They could be at this for a while,” Remus murmured quietly.

Virgil chuckled, “I have no doubt.”

“So you really think this is a good idea?”

Kissing the side of his head, Virgil nodded. “I do.”

Remus sighed against him. “I just…” He gripped Virgil’s hand, holding it against his cheek. “I just don't want you to get hurt again. We… We were so worried about you.”

“I’m right here, my Prince.” He cradled Remus’ chin in his hand and kissed him. “We’ll all be working together and be ready for anything.”

He nodded and snuggled back against Virgil’s side. “So… It looks like you and Dee are… patching things up.”

“How do you feel about that?” Virgil asked, meeting his eyes. “How would you feel if… he was around more? A lot more?”

“Dee’s good in a fight. And now that he’s treating you and Logan better, I won't hafta kick his ass…” His voice trailed off as he watched Dee and Logan talk excitedly over a book, gesticulating wildly. The pair had moved their conversation to the small library in the corner and were flipping through the pages of a giant atlas.

“And, um, he… he’s got the whole sexy nerd thing going on like Lo.” Dee hefted the atlas, lifting it to a high shelf, and the thin, tight material of his borrowed shirt revealed the cut of every muscle in his arms and back. Remus swallowed. “I… I can see the appeal.”

“Good,” Virgil hummed, stroking Remus’ hip. “I think he likes you, too.”

---

The four vampires stood under the arches at the top of the steps of the New York Public Library. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon at their backs but was not yet high enough to breach the skyscrapers along the eastern edge of Manhattan. The street was quiet, dark, and cold. One lone dog walker across the street muttered to themselves—or their pooch—while they huddled against the chill, hurrying back home. The Library would not officially open for several more hours. By then, the building would be crowded with patrons, and tourists, and scholars of all types. At this hour, the doors were ordinarily sealed and locked.

But this morning, they were expected.

After a few moments, two of the Thecari met them at the doors. They entered the darkened building, and their footsteps echoed as they were led through the vast, high-ceiling Rose Reading Hall and back to a secluded study room in the northwest corner of the building. The room was lined with books and journals, and had two broad floor-to-ceiling windows draped in heavy velvet blackout curtains.

A circular conference table sat at the center of the room, its polished surface gleaming in the low light diffused from the sconces along the walls. Several high-backed chairs surrounded the table, providing plenty of seating for their two parties.

“Please make yourselves comfortable,” the one called Gaineamh said. “The others are yet to arrive.”

The one called Ni smiled. “If you need anything, we’ll be here.” Ni looked closely at Dee, then bowed his head, murmuring, “Namal 'an tajlib alsalam maeak alyawm.”

Dee nodded, translating for the others. “Ni hopes we”—Ni’s head shook—”that I brought peace with us today.” He nodded again. “Han waqt alsalam baynana. It is time for peace between us.”

Ni and Gaineamh smiled one more time, then slipped through the heavy door, letting it fall closed behind them. Dee sank into a chair, fingers steepled in front of him. Virgil sat next to him and took his hand. “Did you know them?”

He nodded, swallowing dryly. “They’re older than they look.” He took a deep breath and found a smile. “And a lot stronger. We’ll be safe here.”

Logan and Remus settled into seats on either side of them. “That was a big fucking thing to promise, Dee,” Remus said, tightening his jaw.

Dee took Virgil’s hand and kissed his palm, then held it against his cheek. “Fighting won’t keep you safe. Any of you. Not forever. The Hunters nearly got you last night.” He looked at Logan and Remus. “If there’d been more of them, they would’ve gotten all of you.”

Logan gripped Dee’s shoulder as he searched for words. “We’ve been at war with the Hunters for thousands of years. I’ve been at war with them for thousands of years. They’ve taken enough from me. And I’ve…” He shook his head and blew out a hard breath. “And I’ve taken enough from them. We need to find a better way.” Virgil nodded and reached over to squeeze Remus’ hand. Remus squeezed back.

“By calling for this meeting here," Logan said quietly. "The Hunters appear to have drawn a similar conclusion.”

“Let’s fucking hope so,” Remus said. “I just hope—”

The door opened and they all stood. Ni and Gaineamh led in two Hunters, both in human form.

Pathos entered first, brandishing a large wooden cross as they entered. Dee rolled his eyes. “For fuck’s sake, I was copying scrolls Euclid three hundred years before that god was born.” He snatched the crucifix out of the shocked Hunter’s hands, kissed it, then returned it. “Now will you put it away?”

Pathos exchanged a look with Ire. “So what else do we have wrong about you?”

“What, are we playing I’ll show you mine if you show me yours?” Remus looked around the room. “I suspect there won’t be a whole lotta surprises in here.”

Dee shook his head. “Most of what is in that book you cling to isn’t accurate.”

“Maybe you’d be willing to share your notes with us, then,” Pathos said smoothly, settling into a seat opposite Virgil and Dee.

“I have an annotated copy.” Logan winked at Dee. “I wouldn’t turn down a fact check from another primary source, though.” Virgil chuckled into his hand.

Ire remained standing. “If you think I’m going to sit down with Vlad the Impaler and chat, you all must be out of your mind!” He crossed his arms in front of himself and glared at Dee.

“You do realize we were different individuals, don’t you? I was born over eighteen centuries before Vlad Țepeș.”

“Then why did people call you that?”

Dee rolled his eyes. “Oh, sweetie. Ever heard of a double entendre?” After a second, Remus threw his head back and laughed. Virgil just lowered his head and tried to hide his smile. Ira growled and shook his head at the same moment that Logan met Virgil’s eyes, one eyebrow raised.

Pathos shook his head. “I really don’t see anything funny about torture.”

Ira scoffed and leaned over to whisper in Patton’s ear. His jaw dropped. “Why—why would you let people call you that?”

“What people? It was a phallic joke made in poor taste by one vampire in Styria over five hundred years ago. I didn’t think it would evolve to the point that anyone was actually foolish enough to take it literally.”

“I have some bad news for you about that word, then,” Ira muttered. Logan chuckled and quickly covered his mouth.

“Fine, I’ve heard enough.” Pathos nodded at Ni. “It’s safe for the kid. Can you let in Geminus?” He scoffed at Virgil’s raised eyebrow. “What, you, thought we’d walk in here that badly outnumbered?" He shook his head. "We just protect our young ones,” he snarled at Logan and Remus.

The third Hunter stepped through the door and Remus’ jaw dropped. “Ro? What are you doing here?”

“How dare you say his name, bloodsucker!” Pathos jumped to his feet and snarled. Ni and Gainaemh raised their hands and a gossamer veil slid down, splitting the room in half. Both sides found they could not cross to the other half of the table.

Remus barely noticed, eyes fixed on his twin’s face. “Wh—what?” He shook his head. His eyes finally landed on the cotton sling strapped over his chest, his broken arm immobilized. “Wait, Ro… You’re the one who attacked us?”

“You do not have permission to call him that.” Ire growled, standing between him and the others. “He is called Geminus.”

Logan’s eyes jumped between the brothers. “Twins,” he whispered.

“Oh, Patton, really!” Dee rolled his eyes. “They are clearly brothers. Look at them!”

“Enough!” Virgil raised his hands at right angles in an eerie imitation of the Thecari. Everyone fell silent and Ni and Gaineamh nodded, then backed out of the room. “Between all of us, we all know each other's real names. I’m Virgil, this is Logan, and Remus, and this is Dee.”

Dee nodded across the table at Pathos and Ire. “And you are Patton, and Luka.”

“And my brother is Roman,” Remus added quietly, staring across the table at Roman’s injured arm.

“You’re not my brother, bloodsucker. I know what happened to him. My friend Marcus told me where he saw you, impersonating him. You had him fooled at first, too, until we could educate him. My brother died and you’re just walking about in his skin.”

“Ro. No, it’s me.” He shook his head. “Virgil saved me. How else could I know your name, Geminus?”

“You could’ve just enthralled him and compelled him to tell you his true name.” Luka sneered at Dee. “It’s how Drac learned ours.”

“Fine!” Remus stepped as far around the table toward his brother that he could within the bounds of the Thecari’s spell. “Ask me something only I would know. Where did we grow up? Who was your first crush? Why did—”

“Okay, bloodsucker, you wanna play?” Roman glared at him. “If you’re really my brother, tell me how you got the scars on your back.”

Remus froze. His eyes darted over to Virgil and Logan. His voice shook as he mumbled, “Please don’t ask me that, Ro.”

“Why? Because you don’t know?”

He stepped a little closer, whispering to his twin as he glanced again at the others. “No, I just—”

“Speak so we can hear you,” Patton demanded. “No parlor tricks today, bloodsucker.”

Remus shifted his weight from side to side and he shook out his hands. Virgil was closest to him and tried to stand behind him, but the spell blocked his path. “I got hurt. And had to go to the hospital. We told mom and dad how we were playing on the fire escape. I fell.”

Roman shook his head, turning back to the Hunters. “He's a fake.”

“Okay, wait.” He hung his head and hugged himself. “I jumped out of the car when Dad was driving.”

“Yeah? And?”

“And when I told the truth at the emergency room, Mom and Dad said I was lying to get attention. I had to stay in the “behavioral health” unit for two weeks until I changed my story.”

Roman shook his head but didn’t turn away. “That’s all in my brother’s hospital records." Luka and Patton growled to each other, muttering. "You could have wormed your way into someone’s mind there and just—”

“I jumped because I thought it was the only way to make sure you wouldn’t crash when you got your permit." The room fell silent. Remus wouldn't look at anyone. "Then they sent me back when I punched Coach Greaves for poisoning your athletic tape. And then again—" he voice failed and he tried to catch his breath, squeezing his hands into fists.

After a minute, he continued. "And then again when I attacked your biology professor so he couldn't dissect you in class.” He rubbed his arms. “By then I’d graduated to the adult ward.”

Remus finally met his brother’s eyes. “The last time you saw me was right before I got out and I showed you the bruises I got for talking in my sleep.”

“My brother never told anyone else why he did all that.”

“Yeah, I know.” Remus whispered as he stared at the floor. “That's ‘cause it’s really me, Ro.”

Remus looked up and saw Roman was crying. Roman stepped forward, meeting Remus at the centerline of the room. He pulled Remus toward him with his unbroken arm and cried against his shoulder. “It really is you. I thought you were dead, Re. It's why I…” he tugged at his moonstone Hunter necklace.

“That’s what I’ve been telling you, dumbass." He sniffled. "I’m just different now… like you.” He smirked. “Just… I won’t need a flea bath every night.”

Roman laughed out a little sob. “Yeah ‘cause you’re the flea.”

Wiping his tears with one hand, Remus pressed the other against his chest. “Excuse you, I am not a flea. I am a sparkly sexy vampire, thank you very much.”

“Oh, shut up,” Roman muttered and hugged him again.

Luka plopped into a chair and propped his feet on the table. He growled, “This is all very touching, but how do we know he hasn’t just enthralled you?”

Patton stood next to Luka. “Geminus,” he called. Dee cleared his throat, eyebrow raised and Patton rolled his eyes. ”Roman, come here.”

Roman hugged Remus one more time, “We're gonna figure this out.” Remus nodded and waited for his brother to return.

“Remus?” Virgil’s voice was quiet and just behind him. The spell had let him take another step forward, but he still couldn’t get close enough to touch him. “Remus, what did you think would happen if you told us?”

“I—I didn’t want you to be afraid of me.” He shrugged. “Most people were, when they’d heard where I'd been.”

“Oh, my Prince,” Virgil held out his arms and Remus fell into them. Virgil rubbed his back and whispered in his ear.

Logan and Dee approached. Logan kissed the top of Remus’ head where it rested against Virgil’s shoulder. “We love you, Remus. Nothing could ever stop that.”

Dee pulled Virgil aside, so Logan sat with Remus at the table, speaking quietly. Dee crossed his arms, watching the Hunters speaking together, communicating mostly with growls and pheromones to prevent the vampires from listening in. “Any guesses on what they’re saying?”

Virgil shook his head. “None. Let’s be ready for anything.” He stood a little closer to Dee. "I'm really glad you're here."

Dee smiled as ran his hand down Virgil's spine and whispered, "Me, too, Dragă."

Logan held Remus’ hand and turned their seats to face the windows, their backs to the Hunters. Dee and Virgil stood between their chairs and the border of the spell. Logan whispered, “That’s why you went looking for someone to turn you. You’d heard it cures schizophrenia.”

“Yeah. It was a popular rumor back in the hospital. I thought it was better than going back. But how…?”

He shrugged with a little smile. “There are several documented cases in the literature.”

Remus cupped Logan’s cheek, chuckling. “I should’ve expected you to know about it. Is there anything you don’t know?”

Logan kissed him and covered Remus' hand, pressing his palm closer to his cheek. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Oh! That’s just sappy enough to work,” Remus laughed lightly, kissing him back. Then they turned and waited for the Hunters' next move.

---

“For heaven’s sake, Ira, how can I prove to you that I’m not enthralled?” Roman flung his arm in the air, growling softly.

“We can’t prove a negative. That’s part of why we’re here.” Patton scowled and scratched the back of his neck. “We can’t even tell when one of us has been compromised.”

“Well, there must be something,” Luka insisted.

Roman leaned back in his chair. “I dunno… tell me to do something you think he wouldn’t want me to do.”

“Punch him,” Luka shrugged.

“What? I don’t wanna hit my brother.”

Luka waved a hand dismissively. “He’s a bloodsucker. He’ll heal. Punch him. That or we walk. This isn’t getting us anywhere.”

“Well, we started at zero,” Patton sighed. “We can’t win this war. The vamps have nukes and we’ve got wooden stakes.”

“But the toxin—” Luka started to insist.

Patton shook his head. “Virgil’s right there. Look at him, Ire. The toxin doesn’t work.” Patton growled low in his throat. “Go on. Geminus, go do it.”

Roman sighed heavily and walked up to the border as far as he could. It wasn’t as close as last time. “Remus? Can you step forward?”

Nodding, but noticing the change in the border on his side, Remus stepped close enough to touch his brother.

“Remus… I’m really sorry,” Roman muttered and he swung back and socked him in the mouth. With a layered growl that shook the windows, Logan, Virgil, and Dee leapt to their feet and tried to force their way to the brothers.

“I’m alright, I’m alright, I’m alright.” Remus stood up, waving his arms and wiping away his blood with the back of his hand “Don’t touch him! Don’t do anything!” Remus shouted. “What the fuck, Ro!?”

“I’m sorry, Re. They needed to see that I wasn’t in your thrall.” He stretched his hand across the border. “Call it even for the arm?”

Remus scowled but he shook his brother’s hand. “Even.”

“Satisfied?” Roman asked, glaring at Luka and Patton.

They growled quietly to each other. “Fine.”

“Shall we sit?” Virgil said. Everyone found seats around the table again. Roman and Remus sat next to each other, Remus next to Virgil and Roman next to Patton, linking the opposing sides. They all noticed at the same time that the table had also shrunk, leaving only seven chairs around it. There was was a gap at the side opposite the brothers, where the border separated Logan and Luka.

“It appears as though the Thecari believe we’re ready to begin.”

---

Two hours later, all the sides could negotiate was a temporary truce until they met again in two weeks.

“We will enforce our side,” Virgil said. “But we need Emile’s and other meeting places to be safe zones.” Patton sighed but nodded once in concession. “And you need to tell us who’s your mole there.”

Patton looked at Roman. He nodded rapidly. “It was Marcus.” Patton sighed. “And Yann. but you took care of him”—he eyed Remus—”for other reasons.”

“And did you really execute all of my Hunter contacts?” Virgil asked.

Patton and Luka growled to each other. Finally, Luka shook his head. “They were ordered to stand down but they’re fine.” He glared at Dee. “We were just trying to get Drac here.”

Ni and Gaineamh slipped into the room. Ni looked at both sides of the table, gaze lingering on the twins. “You have made more progress today than you realize. Lilsalam.”

“To the peace. Lilsalam,” Dee answered as Ni and Gaineamh led them out.

---

After an abbreviated visit to Emile’s to spread news of the agreement—and to allow the younger vampires a much-needed chance to feed—the four returned to the penthouse, exhausted. With a pointed look at Virgil, Logan and Remus excused themselves to prepare for bed upstairs.

“You’ll be needed upstairs, as well, Dragă.” Dee stroked Virgil’s cheek as he looked up at the bedroom door as it closed. “They—they might not admit it, but they’ll need you tonight.”

Virgil nodded and started to turn toward the stairs.

“Before you—I—I need to…” Virgil looked back at Dee, brow furrowed at his tone. He swallowed hard, his sarcastic charm dissolving. “Your forgiveness means so much to me.” Dee shook his head and took Virgil’s hands, pressing them against his lips. “You really do carry a part of me with you. Right there.” He placed his palm flat against Virgil’s chest. “And I am so grateful that you have been able to grow and….” He exhaled and tried again.

“I'd thought… when all this is done and I go home, I was going to ask you to come with me, Dragă. So we could be together, but—” His voice broke and his eyes trailed upstairs. “I'm part your past. The rest of your world… the rest of your life is waiting for you up there.”

Virgil took Dee’s hand and held it tight. He nodded, brushing away a tear that stole down Dee's cheek. “I’ve already lost one family because of you, Dee. I cannot lose another.”

Dee's mouth trembled as he pressed his lips together and he nodded. "Of course," he managed. He turned away and began to leave. Virgil wouldn’t let go of his hand.

“So stay with us, Dee.”

Dee turned around and held his breath, afraid to speak, afraid to make a noise that might break this spell and wake him. “They’re falling for you, too," Virgil said, grasping his other hand. "You don't need the thrall to be… needed.”

“You'd still want me… Even… even after everything I’ve done?” Dee whispered, eyes filled with tears.

Virgil pulled Dee close, hands tangled in his hair as he captured his mouth in a kiss. Dee hummed happily and opened his mouth, bottom lip grazing Virgil’s teeth, tongue darting out. Finally, Virgil broke away and whispered against his neck. “You said you’d always be with me.” His teeth brushed against his ear. “So prove it.”

Dee melted into Virgil's arms as he kissed him again, the soft, familiar taste of his mouth and skin bringing back a long-dead warmth in the center of chest. He drove his hands through Virgil's silky hair, letting his fingers trail down over the back of his neck. He began to float, tethered only by Virgil's mouth, the feel of his skin, and the salt of his own tears. Suddenly he leaned back, looking into Virgil’s eyes. “Dragă, but are sure they'll want me—”

“So are you two coming up here or do we have to come down there?” Dee and Virgil looked up at the balcony and saw Logan and Remus, arms linked as they leaned over the railing, grinning. Remus winked. “I gotta warn you, though, the bed downstairs is a lot smaller than the one up here.”

---

"Hey, Lo…" Remus whispered as he drew his arms low around his hips, fingers splayed against the small of his back. "They caught that I said come upstairs right?" Logan laced his fingers behind the back of his head, lightly scratching his scalp. He pulled Remus close and chuckled against his lips, "Oh, yes, Remus, they definitely did." "Good, 'cause if not, I could always just say we're all gonna go fu—" Logan crashed their lips together in a hungry kiss as they waited for Virgil and Dee to join them.

taglist: @anxceitweek21 @mavenmush @melaniidarling @braingoburr @lunatatic @demon9980 @psychedelicships @justmeandmygayships @ts-creator-boost @bluerosesbleedred @tsfanficarchive

[olliedollie1204]

between the lines

The kids are sick. Their parents help.

Pairings: Romantic Anamoceit, Familial Anamoceit with kids Logan, Roman, and Remus.

Word Count: 3,949

Warnings: Brief descriptons of sickness, including fever and vomiting.

this is a sequel fic for my WIP For Future Reference AU (you can find the other parts here on tumblr, and here on AO3) 

(Read it here on AO3!)

Being a parent for almost a decade taught you certain things about children. How to comfort them, how to protect them, how to love them unconditionally. How to teach them right from wrong, and how to show them the way the world works, and how to help them grow as happy and healthy human beings.

None of those skills were as helpful as being able to tell when a child was out of bed in the middle of the night.

Janus didn’t know what exactly had woken him up. Maybe it was the creak of a bedroom door. Maybe it was the thumps of a pair of bare feet moving down the stairs. Maybe it was the clumsy sound of a wooden kitchen chair being dragged across a linoleum floor.

Whatever the reason, he found himself suddenly awake, staring at the ceiling as he resigned himself to the fact that one of his kids was absolutely up past bedtime.

He rolled over, only to find Patton already staring back at him.

“Your son is awake.”

Janus closed his eyes again. “Before sunrise, he’s your son.”

On Janus’ other side, Virgil snorted himself awake. 

“Too early to quote Disney,” he slurred before blinking awake. “Why is it early.”

“Kid’s awake,” Patton replied.

“All of ‘em?”

“Better not,” Janus said. Patton sighed, dragging a hand down his face.

“I’ll check.” He threw his legs over the bed, dipping the mattress and making Virgil roll into Janus. When he left and the mattress was righted, Virgil didn’t let go.

Janus dragged his eyes over, blinking slowly. “Hey.”

“Hi,” Virgil replied, nuzzling his face into Janus’ shoulder. “How you feelin’?”

“Fine.”

“Fine’s not great.”

“Fine is fine, shut up.”

He fumbled to find Virgil’s hand in the dark, squeezing it tightly. Virgil repeated the gesture before sighing, rolling over even more to shove his face into the pillow.

“You need a new mattress,” his muffled voice said.

“Oh, do we?” Janus replied tiredly. Virgil nodded.

“For your leg.”

“How’s a new mattress gonna help my leg?”

Virgil raised and dropped one shoulder in a weak shrug. “Posture and shit.”

“How clinical,” Janus deadpanned. Virgil turned his head to look at him, his cheek marked with the pillow’s texture.

“It’s three A.M., bite me.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Janus replied, then paused. He and Virgil looked at each other for a moment, slow smirks growing on their faces.

“Knock knock!” Patton called, stopping them from moving forward with any biting-related activities; his instincts to warn his partners before entering were correct, because when the two of them turned to the door, all they could make out was the silhouette of Patton with a little one in his arms.

Virgil sat up, switching on the bedside lamp. “Hey, Roman.”

“Hello, darling,” Janus immediately added. The little boy was slumped in Patton’s arms, his cheek resting against his father’s broad chest. His eyes blinked slowly, taking in the sight of his parents on the bed and greeting them with a small wave.

“Hi, Papa, hi, Bibi,” he said softly, his usually bright voice dampened with exhaustion.

Janus made grabby hands as Patton moved closer, shifting the child with ease into his arms. Janus turned him around and began smoothing a hand through his hair, but stopped when the palm of his hand brushed against Roman’s forehead.

He and Virgil’s eyes met at once, just as Patton sighed and nodded.

“Bad news, buckaroos— he’s got a temperature,” Patton said lightly, sitting on the edge of the bed and laying a hand on Roman’s cheek. “Got all the way out of bed to get some water, didn’t you?”

At this, he lifted up the plastic sippy cup he’d been carrying in his other hand. Roman nodded, weakly reaching out from where he sat in Janus’ lap.

“I’m thirsty.”

Janus tutted, pulling his son into his chest and kissing the back of his head.

“I know, poor baby,” he murmured, taking the sippy cup from Patton’s outstretched hand. As he leaned back and began helping Roman drink from the cup, Virgil caught Patton’s eye and gestured his head toward their attached bathroom. Patton nodded, and the two moved away from the bed to reconvene in the bathroom.

“It’s probably the flu,” Patton started as soon as the door was shut, already rummaging through the medicine cabinet. Virgil leaned back against the door and crossed his arms.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Patton said, the fatigue in his voice nearly gone and replaced with concern. “Apparently the whole preschool’s got it.”

“You checked Remus yet?” Virgil asked. Patton shrugged, pulling a bottle up to his eyes so he could squint at the label.

“I’ll stick my head in there— if he’s awake, then yeah, we’ll see,” he confirmed. He turned to Virgil and held up the bottle, the label of the store-brand flu medicine on full display.

Virgil gave a sympathetic wince. “Uh oh.”

“Yep,” Patton replied, smiling in resignation. He moved to open the bottle but Virgil held out a hand to stop him.

“We got it. You check the kids.”

The other man didn’t even protest, merely shooting Virgil a grateful grin and pressing the bottle into his hands.

“Good luck,” he said as he moved past Virgil to push open the door, letting the bathroom light spill into their bedroom.

By now, Roman’s sippy cup was empty and laying discarded on the bedside table, while the child himself was still tucked warmly against Janus’ chest. He was murmuring lowly to Roman as Virgil approached the bed, although his eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the bottle concealed in Virgil’s palm.

“Roman?” he said, keeping his voice as gentle as possible. “Bibi and I are gonna get you some medicine, okay?”

Of course, this announcement was met with muted whines and emphatic head shakes from the toddler.

“I don’t want medicine.”

Virgil moved to sit at the foot of the bed, facing Roman as he said, “I know, Romie, but it’ll make you feel better.”

Again Roman shook his head, new tears forming in his eyes. “It’s gross in my mouth.”

“It’s gross, and it’ll make you feel better,” Janus continued gently, moving to stroke Roman’s hair again, but the toddler ducked away from his hand and fought to wriggle out of his lap. Janus let him go immediately, and Roman crawled right away until he was sitting between his parents on the bed.

Virgil and Janus exchanged a sympathetic glance. Roman wasn’t even trying to run away; he was just sitting there, tears dangerously close to spilling over, and his hands picked at the comforter without meaning.

“Roman…” Janus said quietly. Roman looked up at them, just as his exhausted tears began to fall. 

“Come here,” Virgil urged gently, pulling Roman into his lap and wrapping his arms around his back. Janus scooted forward, laying a gentle hand on Roman’s head and stroking his hair as he cried.

“Shh, it’s okay, honey,” Virgil whispered, rocking Roman back and forth. “It’s okay. We’ll help you. It’ll make you feel so much better. You feel pretty yucky right now, huh?”

A few seconds passed before Roman pulled his face out of Virgil’s chest, sniffing pitifully. “Uh huh.”

Janus leaned forward to stroke Roman’s cheek.

“The medicine will help you feel good again. We promise, darling.”

There was silence for a few beats. Roman’s quiet cries abated, and he moved to rest his cheek against Virgil’s chest instead.

“Will you take it?” Virgil asked gently. Roman sniffed again, wiping his snotty nose on Virgil’s t-shirt (he has kids, he’s used to it) before nodding.

“Uh huh,” he whimpered. Janus leaned forward to kiss the back of his head.

“That’s very good, angel. Thank you for being so brave.”

Virgil nodded, squeezing Roman tight. “Our brave little Roman.”

He turned Roman around in his lap to face Janus, who was working on pouring the medicine into the cap. The sight of the sickly pink liquid made Roman give a shuddering exhale.

“Hey, Roman, look at this,” Virgil interjected quickly, tapping the bed’s comforter in front of Roman. “What colors can you see here?”

Roman sniffed petulantly at the distraction, but he did drop his teary eyes to the thick fabric.

“Brown,” he mumbled. “Black. White. Green.”

Virgil quirked his head. “Where’s the green?”

Roman reached out and carefully papped his hand onto a specific part of the comforter’s design.

“Flowers,” he whispered. Virgil leaned forward and hummed happily.

“Oh wow, you’re right! Good job, Roman,” he congratulated the toddler, kissing the back of his head.

Janus smiled lovingly, cooing, “Look at how clever you are, finding all the colors on the comforter.”

Roman sniffed again. “It’s ugly.”

Janus paused, raising one eyebrow as Virgil snickered into Roman’s hair.

“I think so, too,” he stage whispered. “I think your daddies need to get new bedsheets, right?”

“First a new mattress, then new bedsheets,” Janus muttered. “You just like to complain.”

“Nuh uh!” Virgil insisted, squeezing Roman again. “Roman agrees with me, right, buddy?”

“Yeah,” Roman responded quietly, a small smile on his face.

“Yeah!” Virgil repeated in a silly voice. “Your daddies’ bed is ugly, isn’t it?”

Roman nodded, more enthusiastic. “Yeah!”

“And they need to get a new bed, don’t they?”

“Yeah!”

“Yeah!”

“Yeah!”

“Yeah!”

“Okay,” Janus interrupted with an amused eyeroll, reaching over to poke Roman’s tummy. “Don’t be snarky, mister.”

Roman smiled up at him, but his smile faded as he saw the tiny cup of medicine in his Papa’s other hand. He tensed in Virgil’s lap.

“This’ll make you feel so much better, Romie, I promise,” Virgil assured quietly as he took the cup from Janus. “We can do it on the count of three.”

After Roman’s nod, he raised the cup to the toddler’s mouth. “One, two… three!”

He pressed it to Roman’s lips, tilting his head back for the three seconds it took to swallow it all.

As soon as he pulled the cup away, Roman gagged loudly and shook his head. “Uh uh, uh uh, uh uh.”

“I know, baby, I know," Virgil immediately jumped in. He wrapped his arms around Roman and rocked him side to side. "You did such a good job. We’re so proud of you.”

He continued to murmur words of encouragement to the toddler while Janus recapped the medicine bottle. He looked up, and the two grownups shared a soft smile over Roman's head.

“Got room for a couple more?”

All three of them turned toward Patton’s voice in the doorway. As expected, he wasn't alone: not only was he holding Remus in his arms, but Logan was there too, standing behind him and a bit to the side.

“Hey, guys," Virgil said, shooting them a pitying smile. "How are you?”

“Logan was throwing up in their bathroom,” Patton informed them without preamble. Logan nodded, looking appropriately miserable as he leaned against the wall.

Patton moved to perch on the end of the bed as he continued, “And Remus was asleep, but then he woke up when I opened his door and his hair was all sweaty and I took his temperature and—”

“And long story short, we got three sick kiddos tonight," Janus finished, putting his hand on Remus' forehead and twisting his mouth in displeasure. He looked to Virgil, who returned his look with a resigned smile.

“Medicine round two?”

It took a couple minutes of rearranging— Remus wanted to switch to sitting in Janus’ lap, and Logan moved to sit next to Virgil, since was very clearly swaying where he stood— but finally Patton was able to pass the medicine cup to Logan. Before he could take a sip, however, Roman reached up to yank at Logan’s shirt sleeve.

“Logi, it’s gross,” he said desperately. “It’s gross, Bibi has to help you drink it.”

Logan scowled, pulling his arm away from his brother’s grasp. “No, he doesn’t.”

"Hey," Janus said lowly in warning, but Virgil was quicker, wrapping his arms tighter around Roman and rocking him slightly.

“Don’t worry, Roman," he assured the child gently. "Logan’s a big kid. He can do it by himself, watch.”

He turned his gaze onto Logan, and Roman did the same, watching with fearful eyes. Logan paused before nodding firmly, throwing his head back and downing the medicine as if the 10-year-old was taking a shot.

“See, Roman?" he said haughtily once he swallowed. "It is not that bad.”

He reached his arm out to pass the medicine cap over to Patton, but before he could pull back Roman grabbed his hand in his own pudgy grip.

“Are you okay?” he pleaded. Logan paused again, and after a moment Virgil saw his expression soften.

“Yeah, Roman," he said softly. "I’m okay.”

That appeasement seemed to temporarily satisfy Roman, but he still craned his body in Virgil’s hold, looking for his twin. 

“Remus…” he whined. Virgil shifted then around so they were facing the others, but Remus was already handing the medicine cap back to Patton.

“I am okay, thank you," he informed Roman immediately. Virgil felt Roman relax back into his arms, and Remus did the same, slumping backwards against Janus’ chest.

Patton clicked his tongue.

“Poor baby,” he cooed, leaning forward to brush Remus’ hair back. “You were just trying to sleep.”

Remus nodded, bunching up the hem of Janus’ shirt in his hands. “I’m sleepy.”

“I know, darling,” Janus said softly. “We’re all done now, and we’re gonna get everyone back to bed—”

Remus looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

“Can I please sleep with you?”

All three grown ups paused. That… was such a loaded question from any child. Yes, their love for their children was endless and forever and knew no bounds, of course— except that the presence of a sickly toddler in their bed might make it hard for them to, you know. Sleep.

“Um—” Janus started, but already Roman was twisting around to look between his parents. 

“I wanna— I wanna sleep with you, too!” he said, new tears already forming in his eyes. Remus wasn’t crying like his brother, but he was looking particularly lovable with his well-practiced begging face. Logan stayed silent, but he did slump farther back into the pillows, already struggling to keep his eyes open much longer.

Virgil looked at Janus, and Janus looked at Patton, and Patton made a snap decision.

“Yep,” he decided. “We can all sleep together, so everybody’s gonna have to scooch over.”

The next few minutes were a flurry of activity for the grownups, while the kids stayed in bed in various states of consciousness. 

Janus grabbed the kids’ favorite comfort items from their bedrooms— Remus’ baby blanket that was covered in planets and stars, Roman’s favorite stuffed animal (a teal dinosaur named Roary), and Logan’s weighted blanket with the Periodic Tables of Elements displayed on one side.

Patton raided the bathrooms for trash cans, which were placed on either side of the bed (and gosh, please let them get through the rest of the night without anybody else throwing up).

And Virgil returned with extra throw blankets, because he knew that every single member of this family was a big ol’ blanket hog and he wasn’t gonna stand for it.

“Okay, everybody’s gonna have to squeeze, squeeze, squeeze!” Patton instructed as the grownups clambered back onto the bed as gently as possible.

“Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze,” Remus echoed softly, squishy his blankie in his hands. 

It took a minute, but finally they were in some sort of order that everyone agreed with. The grown ups returned to their original positions of Patton on the outside, Janus in the middle, and Virgil on the other side; however, the twins were now snuggled tightly in the empty spaces between them, and Logan was now taking up the last sliver of mattress space on Virgil’s other side.

“Good job, gang,” Janus said, voice tired but warm. He craned his neck as much as he could. “Lo, you good?”

“Mhmm,” Logan sighed. He was laying on his side, facing away from the rest of the cuddle pile, but he still kept his back pushed against Virgil, feeling for his presence even as he drifted off to sleep.

Virgil met Janus’ eyes and nodded. He nodded back, murmuring, “Good night, everybody. I love you.”

“I love you!” Patton echoed, reaching over to ruffle both Roman’s and Remus’ hair. 

“Love you,” Virgil finished.

Remus and Logan stayed silent, somehow already fast asleep. Roman fidgeted for a few more seconds between Patton and Janus before he finally came to rest.

“Good night, Papa, good night, Daddy, good night, Bibi,” he stage-whispered. And then it was quiet.

Well. As quiet as a bedroom with three sleeping children and three exhausted adults could be. There was no way in hell any of them were getting any more sleep tonight, but that didn’t mean they weren’t gonna try.

Virgil turned his head just a bit to rest more comfortably on his pillow, only to find Janus already staring back at him. Janus raised his eyebrows.

“Good?” he whispered.

Virgil shrugged as much as he could. “You need a bigger bed.”

Janus snorted abruptly, making all three children stir. After a few tense beats, Patton raised his head to look at his partners with confusion.

His gaze was met with Janus rolling his eyes. “Bibi thinks he’s funny.”

“Bibi is very funny, thank you,” Virgil interjected. Patton shook his head, smiling in exasperation.

“Tell me in the morning.”

~

Virgil didn’t know when exactly he’d fallen asleep, so waking up was a bit of a surprise for him.

More surprising was the fact that the bed was significantly emptier than he remembered it. It was colder, too— probably because he wasn’t being cuddled by two feverish children anymore, as well as the fact that somehow, against all laws of physics, he wasn’t being covered by a single blanket. 

Blinking blearily, he turned his head, ignoring his cramping neck (when did he get so old) until he saw Janus. His partner was reclining comfortably on the other side of the mattress, rapidly typing on his phone. Virgil watched his profile for several blissful seconds.

Movement on his other side pulled him from his trance, and Virgil turned to see Patton standing in the doorway.

“Morning,” he said with a tender smile. Virgil sat up a bit further as Patton moved to sit on the end of the bed.

“Time is it?”

“Late,” Janus replied from his other side, now looking up from his phone to give Virgil a small smile. “Boys are on the couch watching sick day movies.”

Patton nodded. “We did some PT earlier, but lazybones over here wanted to get back into bed.”

Janus shrugged, unbothered by the correct accusation. “What’s the point of taking a day off work if you don’t lay in bed all day?”

“Maybe preparing to take care of our ailing children for the next who-knows-how-long?” Patton retorted dryly, resignation and concern tingeing his voice. “I really hope this blows over in a day or two.”

“Same,” Janus replied, eyes already back on his phone. “You know I love any excuse to call out, but I’d rather not lose my job over a sick day.”

“I can take some time off!” Virgil said immediately. “If you need to go back to work, either of you, or if you just need some help, I’d have no problem calling out for a couple days, I’ve got lots of sick days stacked up, or— what?”

“Do you like this?”

Virgil blinked, thrown off his rhythm. He tried to focus on the tiny screen Janus had thrust in front of him, but without his glasses or contacts it was nearly impossible.

“Um. Yes?”

Apparently that was the right answer, because Janus hummed in satisfaction. “Good, ‘cause if you’re gonna be using it then I was thinking we’d all go in on it together.”

“Sure,” Virgil said. “Wait. No. I don’t know what I’m looking at.”

Janus held the screen toward him again.

“It’s a new bed frame,” he said simply. “For our new bed.”

“Janus,” Patton interjected in a weirdly scolding tone. 

“What?” Janus replied. Patton sighed, but looked at Virgil with an exasperated smile.

“Well, that certainly wasn’t how we were planning on popping that question…” he said. Virgil looked between the two of them.

“I don’t. What. You want me to help you buy a bed?”

Suddenly Janus grabbed his hand, shocking Virgil enough to look at him, but he was already staring directly into Virgil’s eyes.

“I wanted to know if you wanted to help buy our new bed,” he said in a voice that… seemed significant. 

“Um,” Virgil responded eloquently. “Yeah. Yeah, of course, no, yeah, I can— yeah, definitely, of course I’ll help out, how much was that one? If that’s the one you want, then yeah, of course, I’ll send you some money—”

“Virgil, do you actually get what he’s asking?” Patton interjected. Virgil paused. He’d thought he did, until he saw Janus’ smile, playful and warm.

“I… don’t think so,” he admitted. Janus quirked an eyebrow.

“Wanna move in?”

A beat of silence. Virgil opened his mouth, then closed it again.

“Oh.”

He nodded once, belatedly, and realized he was still holding Janus’ hand. The realization sent a wave of heat to his cheeks for some reason, but he didn’t let go.

“And,” Patton added, moving forward on the bed and taking Virgil’s other hand, “despite what our partner’s phrasing might imply, you don’t have to say yes. You certainly don’t have to help pay for the bed,” he finished with a faux-stern look at Janus. 

Janus shrugged. “Or if you don’t like this one, we can look for other options together—” 

“Yes,” Virgil breathed, interrupting Janus. He looked to Patton, then Janus, then back and forth as fast as he could. “Yes.”

Janus paused.

 “...Yes, you want to look for other options?”

Patton gave a huff of laughter.

“Oh, you’re both so cute when you’re sleepy,” he muttered before reaching over to pat Janus’ leg. “Virgil said yes to moving in, honeybee.”

Janus looked between his husband and their partner. Virgil nodded.

“Oh,” Janus said. “Great. Fantastic. Swell. I just said swell, I’m really tired, okay?”

The rest of Janus’ rambling was interrupted by Virgil yanking on his arm— maybe a bit too harshly, but fuck, how was he supposed to control himself now?— and wrapping him into a fierce hug. It only took half a second for Janus to reciprocate, squeezing Virgil tightly before the other man launched himself at Patton. Patton caught Virgil with open arms, and as he rocked them both from side to side, he pressed small, fervent kissies to his temple. Then Janus and Patton squeezed hands and shared a quick kiss, before Virgil was thrown into the middle of a three person hug.

Around and around it went for several minutes before they could detach themselves, snickering and beaming all the while.

“Got coffee downstairs,” Patton informed Virgil, giving his hand one more good squeeze before getting up.

“You coming?” Janus asked, joining Patton in the doorway.

“In a minute,” Virgil replied. “I’ll make the bed.”

They smiled at him— bright and warm and wonderful— before leaving their bedroom to join their children downstairs. Virgil looked around him, at the twisted bed sheets, the crumpled comforter, and the extra blankets left behind by their children.

“Swell,” he murmured. He didn’t care that he’d just woken up. He felt like he could lie down right now and sleep in their bed— their bed— for the rest of his life.

~

Taglist: @plinamiismyotp, @wasinotwantedatthisexactsecond, @emo–nightmaree, @a-non-binary-pan, @rainecreatesstuff, @bittydragon (if you’d like to be added/removed to the taglist, let me know!)

[i-am-bitterly-jittery]

On Death’s Doorstep (pt 30/?)

[<<First],,,,[<Prev],[Next>] [ODD Masterlist]

Word Count: 1528

Rating: teen

Pairing: Anxceit

Warnings: past temporary character death, swearing, supervillain behavior

~~~START~~~

This was… not entirely unexpected, but inconvenient either way.  

Logan’s mother had not only turned up unannounced to his home, but she had come bearing the news that the Metahuman Affairs Agency was looking for him.  

Once again, this was not unexpected. He had been suspecting less than above-board dealings ever since Janus had passed along their stolen files to him, and he’d even been playing with the idea that the building explosion hadn’t been the work of another supervillain at all. What was unexpected was that his mother would be staying with him for the foreseeable future.  

The home Logan had once shared with only his closest compatriots was quickly becoming a shelter for metahumans hiding from the government. And now it seemed that Logan was on that list as well.  

This was certainly not an ideal time for Barbra to show up as it would be impossible for Logan to conceal his thoughts from her for a prolonged period of time, so there was nothing for him to do but come clean to her.  

About everything.  

Logan’s mother smiled sadly. “I suspected as much.” 

“You suspected that Sandman was my estranged daughter Remy?” Logan could not help the accompanying eye roll despite how childish he knew it would be.  

“Well dear, you seemed awfully fond of her. Robbing a bank?” 

“Perhaps I needed money,” Logan scoffed.  

“Whatever you say, dear,” Barbra said appeasingly before her eyes slid past Logan. “Hello, you must be Janus.” 

Logan turned to find Janus standing in the doorway to the stairwell. They were back early — far earlier than Logan had been expecting.  

“What did you do?” They demanded. Surprisingly, they weren’t looking at Logan.  

“I’m just visiting my son,” Logan’s mother answered innocently, though who she thought she was fooling, Logan couldn’t tell.  

“Everyone in the facility I’ve been observing suddenly starts collectively losing their shit and increasing security to the point where I have to choose to either stay put and risk getting caught spying, or move and risk getting caught running, and I’m supposed to just believe that it’s a coincidence that you’ve finally decided to put aside your disapproval and pay your son a visit?” 

“Sometimes coincidences just happen,” Barbra shrugged.  

Janus’s sharp gaze moved to Logan. He had hoped that he would be able to tell Janus in a more controlled environment — and when they weren’t so pissed off — but that clearly was not happening.  

“The Metahuman Affairs Agency has decided that I — and by extension, my mother — am a person of interest. I assume your facility ‘lost their shit’ when my mother left her home and disappeared.”  

He looked to his mother for confirmation that she wasn’t followed. She smiled. “I can be quite sneaky when I want to be.” 

Janus was pinching the bridge of their nose. “I don’t even want to know. I need to know, but lord do I not want to,” they muttered, mostly to themself.  

“Sandman is my daughter,” Logan said bluntly.  

“Shit,” Janus sighed before seizing up. “Wait! You didn’t…? Did you?” 

Logan nodded.  

“Shit.” 

“That is,” Logan said slowly. “Not the only thing I’ve done.”  

He didn’t regret anything he had done, but the fact that he was now in a position to aggravate Janus even further was unfortunate.  

“People aren’t tools, Logan,” Janus seethed through gritted teeth once Logan had explained the events of the last few days to them, starting with taking Remus body snatching with him and ending with leaving Virgil to watch Remy upon his mother’s arrival.  

“That is extremely hypocritical coming from you,” Logan scoffed 

“Excuse me?” 

“You use people as tools all the time,” Logan continued. “You stalk them, poison them, steal their lives for a day, just to further your own ends. The only reason you’re taking umbrage with my methods is because the person I used happens to be your boyfriend. If this were one year ago, I wager that you would not be all that perturbed if I had kidnapped Knightcaster and forced him to help me — you may have even been pleased about it.” 

“Fuck you!” Janus was shaking with rage, but Logan was unfazed. Janus loved to act like they had the moral high ground when it came to all of Logan’s resurrection experiments, but they were a supervillain just the same as Logan was, and they had a whole slew of underhanded dealing and methodologies of their own.  

“Now insult his mother!” A voice called out, startling both villains.  

Logan turned to find that Roman and Remus had moved an entire couch down to the parking garage without either of them noticing and were now watching Logan and Janus’s fight as though it were their favorite television show.  

“No offense, Mrs. Picani,” Roman added as a pseudo apology for his sister’s behavior.  

Barbra — the traitor — just waved him off from her seat next to them on the couch. “No worries, dear, I already knew she’d say that.” 

“None of you are helping,” Logan informed them, thoroughly unimpressed by their antics.  

“Yeah, but we’re not hurting either, are we?” Roman pointed out smugly.  

“I want to see you two duke it out!” Remus grinned. “I mean obvious money would be on Janus cuz — no offense, Logan — they’re significantly younger, but smart money would probably be on Logan cuz he has an exercise regime, and Janus refuses to run unless they have to.” 

“Now we’re probably hurting,” admitted Roman, also grinning shamelessly.  

“If we consider their powers though,” Logan’s mother added — traitor. “Then I’d have to give the edge to Janus — I just don’t think Logan would be able to properly compensate for Janus’s perception-altering powers.” 

“You have a point there, Babs,” Remus agreed, ignoring Logan’s death-glare.  

“Fuck all of you,” Janus groused before making their way to the staircase behind the couch. Logan followed them down to his lab, leaving his mother and the twins behind to gossip — something he would likely regret later, but not as much as if he’d let an irate Janus stomp around his lab unsupervised.  

Janus didn’t speak the entire way to Logan’s lab and Logan did not feel like poking the metaphorical bear at this moment in time. It was rather amazing how much tension leaked out of Janus’s shoulders when they spotted Virgil — happy, healthy, and conscious — sitting at Remy’s bedside.  

“Are you alright?” They asked, gently cupping Virgil’s face and turning it this way and that as though anything Logan had asked Virgil to do would have resulted in visible injuries.  

“I’m fine, Jan,” Virgil assured them, taking their hands in his own.  

It was perhaps too intimate a moment for Logan to be looming over, but they were in his daughter’s sickroom, so he had no plans to leave anytime soon.  

“Let’s get you home,” Janus insisted as they tried to coax Virgil out of his chair.  

Honestly, Logan did not care one way or another if they left or if they stayed (he might even have preferred them to leave), he had gotten what he needed from Virgil, Remy’s body could handle the rest.  

“No,” Virgil resisted, shaking his head. “I promised Remy I’d be here when she woke up again, and I’m going to keep that promise.” 

“She was awake?” Logan demanded, suddenly much more interested.  

“Yeah, a little bit ago. She freaked out a little, then fangirled a bunch, then freaked out again, then I promised to stay with her, and she passed out again.” 

That was much sooner than Logan had been expecting. Perhaps Virgil’s healing powers were more effective than he thought if the five-minutes-at-most that before Logan’s mother had shown up was enough to heal Remy to the point of being awake and coherent already.  

“Fascinating. You may leave if you wish, I will be here with her until she awakens again,” Logan assured him.  

“No. I promised her I’d be here — and no offense, but I think knowing that your favorite superhero is protecting you is more comforting than waking up to find a supervillain with a less than merciful reputation.” 

“Virgil–” Janus urged, but Virgil was already shaking his head.  

“I’m staying.” 

This was Logan’s domain and if he really wanted to, he could have pushed the issue further. But Virgil was unfortunately correct, Remy would likely feel safer with Knightcaster than with her estranged father that she likely didn’t even remember and who happened to be a notorious supervillain.  

Instead, he briefly left to fetch himself and Janus chairs so that the three of them could keep vigil. He sent the twins a brief message telling them to lead his mother to his apartment so that she could get comfortable in his guest room — something she probably didn’t need the twins’ help with as she no doubt knew where she’d be staying before she’d even left her own home — and that they would likely have Patton for some hours more. 

By the time he returned Janus had already made themself comfortable curled around Virgil in Virgil’s chair. Still, Logan left one chair next to them and took his own around to Remy’s other side.

Now it was all about waiting.

~~~END~~~

Usually I edit on Word but this time Word decided to give me like 5” margins and wouldn’t let me get rid of them so I edited this on Docs

I started writing the Virgil POV chapter and I found myself vagueing about the events of this chapter, so this one first, Virgil POV next (it would also require a non-linear narrative to go from the Virgil POV to this chapter)

Two chapters left :) Virgil POV then finishing how we started (then section 4 obvi)

ODD taglist

@royalty-of-all-things-snuggly @pixelated-pineapple @arsonic-knight @misunderstood-shadowling @lost-in-thought-20 @remy-the-lemon-berry @jinxcrafter @apinkline2715 @gothfoxx @donutsarepartybagels @xoaningout @meganmoneky14