Work Text:
My Darling Snake,
I find myself craving your company even more as of late. I find myself wishing to show you the things I create, and every activity feels hollow without your presence. I wish to see the sun shimmer on your scales, I wish to hold you in my arms and sing to the heavens of my love for you. Hiding hurts me deeper than I ever thought possible.
With all of my heart,
Roman
My Dear Prince,
Honestly Roman, you’re such a sap sometimes. But, I have to admit I’ve been missing you too. I wish we didn’t have to hide like this, though I understand why it’s necessary. I want to spoil you when we’re together, and I want to see you more than just work or in passing. But, I know how much he means to you, so I will just have to make up for lost time when we meet. You have a gift coming, by the way. You’ll know it when you see it.
With love,
Janus
Roman sighed, holding his most recent letter close to heart. He’d never been one to hide his feelings, and that included with Janus. He wanted to celebrate when the two got together, wanted to dance and spoil his snake and make up for all the horrible things he’d said in the past. But, there was Virgil to think about.
Him and Virgil were finally close. Hell, Roman would call Virgil his best friend. They would spend hours laughing at Disney movies or arguing over stupid things, and he loved that Virgil trusted him enough to come to him when he needed help. The only problem came when Roman started pursuing Janus. Because Virgil hated Janus, and finding out about Roman’s budding relationship would absolutely hurt Virgil to find out.
The word betrayal was a heavy one for Roman, and it’s the one that rang in his head any time he thought about Virgil finding out. It’s not like Virgil had feelings for him - the emo was quite happy in his relationship with Patton - but the last thing Roman wanted was for him to close himself off again.
And so, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He couldn’t shower Janus with the love he deserved, and he couldn’t hurt Virgil the way he knew he would.
Currently, the table was awkward and tense as everyone ate dinner together. Patton really had been trying to help mend the bridge, but he was having his own troubles trying to keep everyone comfortable. Logan was about normal, but everyone else was tense. Roman had the unfortunate predicament of being between Virgil and Janus, because Virgil stuck next to Patton and refused to sit by either Janus or Remus.
Under the table, Janus reached out just enough for their ankles to touch. It gave Roman a warm feeling in his chest, and he was almost able to relax. Almost.
“Remus, could you pass the meat?” Patton asked politely.
Everyone knew what Remus was going to say, but that didn’t stop him from actually saying it.
“Ooh, in front of everyone~? How fun~”
Virgil scowled and Patton just sighed.
“The chicken, Remus. Please?”
Remus did pass the chicken, grinning to himself. Unfortunately, Virgil had already been close to breaking and this seemed to push him over the edge.
“Why do they have to be here?” He snapped, gesturing at Remus and Janus. Remus just waved while Janus - and Logan - sighed.
“Virge, I’m just trying to help everyone get along better,” Patton explained gently. “It’ll be better for Thomas if we can understand each other.”
“I already understand them! I understand that Remus is obnoxious and Deceit is a lying asshole, what more do I need to understand?”
“And here I thought the others would be a good influence on you Virgil,” Janus said in his usual lazy tone.
“They are, but I’m not gonna put up with you two when all you do is make everyone uncomfortable.”
“Virgil, they aren’t making anyone uncomfortable-”
“Oh yeah? Does anyone actually want them here other than you Patton?”
Logan shrugged, because of course he did. Remus huffed.
“I’m happy to be here Vee, your boyfriend is a great cook~”
“Of course you like it, you love pissing people off.”
“Only for you Virgy~”
“Maybe we should call it a night-” Patton tried to calm everyone down, but Virgil was flaring and Janus was already getting tense.
“Yeah? And then what? I’m sick of playing nice just for Thomas’ sake. Thomas was fine before they decided to move, why shouldn’t it stay that way?”
“Well, you moved and Thomas’ life got even better,” Roman said without thinking. “Why can’t this be the same way?”
The look in Virgil’s eyes stung, and Roman tensed.
“Are you seriously taking their side?”
“I’m not taking anyone’s side Virgil, I just-”
“What? You seriously want them around more?”
I…I’m just saying that it really could help Thomas grow-”
“Into what? Into a disgusting, lying snake like him?!”
Virgil gestured to Janus, who aside from his one comment had been trying to stay out of the argument. Now though, Janus bristled and set down his glass.
“Well, I can tell when I’m not wanted, there’s no need to shout. Remus, you’re welcome to follow if you want, but I won’t force you.”
“Janus-”
“No, it’s fine.” Janus put up a hand to stop Patton. “I don’t particularly feel like being insulted the rest of the night, so I will take my leave. Thank you for the dinner, it was as wonderful as always.”
Roman’s hand shot out, catching Janus’ sleeve as he stepped past.
“Janus-”
He froze, everyone’s eyes on the two of them. There was so much he wanted to say, wanted to do.
“Uhm…Thank you for making the effort. We appreciate it.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, all the words neither of them could say spilling between them with one look.
“...Of course. I don’t want to make things any harder than they have to be. Good night, everyone.”
Janus pulled away, leaving with the grace to hold his head high.
As soon as he was gone, Virgil exploded.
“What the fuck was that Roman?!”
“What? I can’t admire bravery for what it is?”
“Bravery?! What are you talking about, he didn’t even do anything!”
“On the contrary,” Logan finally chimed in. “It was absolutely a brave act to sit down with us when it was almost guaranteed that he would be attacked.”
“Attacked? What-”
“Virgil, stop.”
He whipped around towards Patton, who was visibly upset now.
“Why do all of you refuse to listen to me on this?”
“Because you’re wrong, Virgil.”
Logan spoke firmly, standing up and taking Remus’ hand. His glare was so firm that even Roman felt like he was getting scolded.
“Both of them have made a point to improve themselves and grow. You are the only one who won’t see it.”
And then Logan left, dragging a shocked Remus with him.
Virgil looked between Patton and Roman, both of them distinctly uncomfortable. Then he just scowled and sunk out.
Roman took the time to help Patton clean up after dinner, then offered to bring Janus a plate since he hadn’t actually eaten much before everything happened.
That was how he ended up in front of Janus’ door. Waiting.
He knocked, unsure if Janus would actually answer.
“I’m not in the mood for visitors tonight.”
“...Janus? It’s me.”
There was a long pause, before the door opened on its own. Janus was at his desk, and Roman set the plate down before hugging him from behind.
“I’m sorry about everything…” He said softly. “I’m sorry about Virgil.”
Janus sighed and leaned into him, holding Roman’s arms with one hand.
“You don’t have to apologize. You didn’t do anything.”
“I do have to apologize, because I didn’t do anything. I should’ve stood up for you, what he was saying wasn’t fair.”
He gently took Janus’ hat off and kissed the man’s temple.
“Did you know about Remus and Logan?”
“Of course I did, Remus won’t shut up about it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Janus hummed, playing with Roman’s sleeve.
“He didn’t want me to. Didn’t want you to get upset with him. The same reason you don’t tell anyone.”
Roman went quiet then, just holding Janus and wishing he could fix everything.
“...I don’t want to hide anymore, Janus. I’m sick of waiting for Virgil to come around, I want to enjoy being with you.”
“I know, Roman. But I don’t want you to lose him, and things are…tender, right now.”
“I don’t care anymore. I…Virgil means a lot to me, but so do you. I’m sick of feeling like I have to be ashamed of you, I hate having to sneak around like we’re doing something wrong. Virgil…he’ll come around, won’t he?”
Janus squeezed Roman’s arm before standing up.
“Come on, let’s go somewhere more comfortable.”
He pulled Roman over to the bed, hugging him tight and sitting down again.
“Sit with me, love. Let’s worry about this tomorrow, shall we? I want to enjoy our time together.”
Roman sighed, silently agreeing to shelf the decision until morning. He sat down and waved a hand to change into something more comfortable, which happened to be one of the few hoodies Janus owned.
“Must you bring those out every time you come here?” Janus asked with an amused smile.
“Well it’s not like you ever wear them, and they’re comfy.”
“Yes, because I prefer things with style.”
“Then why do you have them?”
“Winter, and shedding season.”
“Shedding season?”
“You don’t want to know, trust me.”
Roman chuckled and leaned up to kiss Janus. The other kissed back softly and reached up to hold Roman’s face.
“Things will work out,” Janus said softly. “We’ll be alright, darling.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so. And in the meantime, we can always write more of those silly letters you enjoy.”
Roman smiled, nuzzling into Janus’ neck. For one night, he could let things go. He’d worry about Virgil tomorrow.
“Mh, I almost forgot.”
Janus reached back, pulling a small box from under his pillow.
“Here, open it.”
Roman took the box.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
Roman did, finding a simple golden bracelet in the shape of a snake with bright, gleaming red eyes.
“I thought…you might want something to think of me. When you get lonely.”
Roman gasped, picking it up carefully and turning it over in his hands.
“Do you like it?”
Roman turned, hugging Janus tightly as he slipped the bracelet onto his bracelet.
“I love it, thank you.”