Chapter Text
Janus has spent the past few days in his room, not coming out much. A habit of his, made worse after Virgil left the dark side of the mindscape. Even after Janus’s recent acceptance from Thomas, Janus couldn’t bring himself to leave his room much. Afraid to face the judgment and blame from the others, or maybe afraid to confront his growing feelings for Remus, or afraid to face himself, maybe all of the above. Janus finds the best distraction from those thoughts is at the bottom of bottles of his favorite Red Wine.
That is where Janus found himself, currently sitting at his desk, taking swigs of the bottle, having long abandoned his wine glass. He reads over the current plans he has made for Thomas after the disaster of the wedding debacle. A pattern of knocks comes from the door, Janus recognizing it to be Remus, making his lip curve into a nervous frown as he approaches the door.
“I’m not coming.” Janus hums a bit, opening the door to the chaotic side, beaming at him.
“ C-o-m-e or c-u-m?” Remus responds with a shit eating grin. A snort escapes Janus before he clears his throat.
“What do you want, Remus ?” Janus speaks with a neutral tone, trying to hide the feelings bubbling in his stomach, rising to his throat like bile. Remus studies him a moment, his usually chaotic expression turning serious. He usually only wore that look when focused on a creation of his. Remus and Roman both shared a sense of perfectionism, after all, even if their definition of perfection differed.
“I’m taking you out to the Imagination today,” Remus declares, grabbing Janus by the arm, already dragging him towards his bedroom before Janus can protest. Janus sighs softly, not having the energy to turn down Remus and deal with the tantrum that it would most likely cause.
“I hope you're not planning on taking me to your gore pit again like the last time. I still haven’t gotten the stains out of one of my favorite sweaters,” Janus comments as they enter Remus’s bedroom.
“It isn’t my fault you decided to wear that on our first date. You should know better by now. You know my ideas of romance are not as boring or clean as Roman’s. Of course, there was gonna be gore! ” Remus teases as his eyes glimmer with mischief as he loops his arm around Janus’s waist. Janus’s human half flushes slightly as he hums in acknowledgement.
“I suppose I should have expected a gore pit. Then again, I thought you’d at least wait to use that for our third date.” Janus leans a bit into Remus' side, soaking up the heat from that personal heater of a man. Remus soaks up the rare open affection from Janus, his grin somehow seeming to grow wider.
“So that means you're up to at least two more dates ?” Remus purrs softly into Janus’s non-scaled ear and enjoys the way it goes red alongside Janus’s human half. Janus weakly pushes Remus away a bit, not entirely meaning it, still enjoying the warmth filling his chest from Remus and the alcohol in his system.
“I thought that was known when I kissed you at the end of it,” Janus mumbles softly. A shiver travels down his body at the temperature of the Imagination as they enter Remus’s room. Remus’s side was always colder than Roman’s, mostly due to Remus’s own choice in atmosphere and decor.
They leave the bedroom through a doorway, going into the stairwell and descending the spiral stairs. Leading down to more of Remus’ castle, though it seemed more like a haunted house attraction than a castle. As they walk, Remus discusses his most recent projects, Janus humming along, adding a few comments, mostly enjoying watching how animated Remus gets when his passion for what he does shines through.
As they reach the main gate of the castle, it lowers, allowing them to walk over the moat of green goo with inky black gators sticking their heads out of the goo, watching as Janus and Remus cross the moat, stepping onto a path leading into the dark forest, with giant colorful mushrooms among the trees. Janus hums, enjoying the splashes of colors throughout Remus’s land.
“I look forward to seeing what you’ll do for fall, Mus. I look forward to all the twisted things you can think of.” Remus beams in response.
“Awe, Jannie, you flatter me. I can’t wait to show it off to you, my charming Cobra.” Remus laughs, pulling Janus closer by the waist before picking him up, making Janus squeak in surprise, his human side flushing a deeper red.
“Remus, I can walk just fine,” Janus says, huffing softly, trying to recollect himself, failing miserably. Remus cackles as he nuzzles Janus’s nose with his own.
“You're so red blood is gonna rush out of your pores,” Remus beams.
“Now I’m going to carry you like the Queen you are. I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been working on just for you, plus it's easier for me to kiss you on the way.” Remus wiggles his eyebrows, making kissy faces at Janus. A smirk formed on Janus’s lips as a soft hum came from them. Janus pulls Remus’s face close to his, just far enough for Remus to feel Janus’s hot breath on his lips.
“A queen, hmm, I like the sound of that. Though I’m unsure what it would mean for a Queen to be with a Duke and not a King.” Janus's smirk grows as he pulls his face back, watching Remus shudder, his hold on Janus growing tighter and more secure as Remus seems to speed up to whatever location they were going.
After a few more minutes of walking, they reach a clearing in the forest. A farmhouse-style house sits in the center of the clearing. Behind the house, a lake can be seen shimmering between the pine-like trees. A dock pokes out of the water, leading to a wooden staircase that leads up to the back porch of the house. Janus looks back to the front of the cabin, noticing a porch swing swaying slightly in the cool breeze, the chains creaking slightly.
“This is straight out of a horror movie. Do I have to worry about a slasher in a hockey mask lurking around looking for a couple having premarital sex?” Janus asks teasing Remus, though he knows it may be a possibility, knowing Remus.
“Hmm, not tonight, though perhaps another night. I want this visit to be relaxing for you, though there definitely will be some of my personal touches and flair throughout our time here.” Remus beams, stepping onto the porch, the steps creaking softly before Remus kicks the front door open, the door swinging open from the force, revealing a nice entranceway with a staircase leading to the upstairs of the house. Remus sets Janus down carefully.
“Welcome to your home away from home, Jannie. A place for us to get away from the drama. No more hiding away from everyone in your room.” Remus beams, gesturing around the entryway. Framed pictures of Janus and Remus over the years, even a few, including Virgil, lined the wood-paneled walls, doing little to cover the tears in the wallpaper. Remus shuts the door behind them, allowing Janus to take in the warm temperature of the house. The faint candle-like glow lit up the house, alongside the soft light coming from the windows. Janus looks to the right, stepping into a living room. A fireplace against a brick wall with a television above it. A large, comfortable, almost bed-like couch with fluffy blankets and throw pillows on it. Beckoning Janus to come sit down. Janus happily obliged as he nearly sank into the couch. It practically swallows him into its warmth and comfort.
“So what do you think?” Remus asks, leaping next to Janus on the couch, looking over him, analyzing him.
“You really did all this for me?” Janus looks around the room before looking to Remus, his heart filled with what could only be described as Adoration, his human side once again flushed.
“Of course, you’re the one person I will ever get all Ewey gooey, lovely dovey with Snakey. Plus, I was hoping to take you here and see if you wanted to make us official and junk.” Remus looks slightly nervous for once, his face slightly flushed, matching Janus. Janus smiles widely, showing off his fangs slightly before grabbing Remus’s sash, pulling him closer to him, and pulling him into a kiss. Pulling back after a moment, smiling as he looks at Remus.
“Does that answer your question?” Janus says, smiling as he strokes his thumb across Remus’s cheek. Remus grins as he pulls Janus into a deeper kiss, Janus melting into it. While they kiss, Remus’s arms travel up and down Janus’s back, making Janus hum into the kiss almost like a purr. Janus pulls back with a tired smile as his snake eye begins to drift close, and he burrows deeper into Remus’s warmth, falling asleep.
“I love you, Jannie. I’ll always be here for you,” Remus speaks softly as he strokes Janus’s hair. Enjoy the comforting silence of the new home he made for them.