Still an analogical stanny

"It's one of my favourites too!" Patton had said that, grinning up at him as he handed him a slice. He can just barely see the sparkly gel icing, the words 'Happy Birthday Janus!' in looping script having been dispersed between the other sides as they are their own slices. Janus decidedly ignored the heat that rose even in the reptilian half of his face.

He can tell that some of them didn't exactly trust him yet. Janus can feel Virgil's stare on him like a physical presence as he chatted up with Patton, and Roman's sword is sits sheathed on the prince's hip even long after his daily romp in the imagination. Though Patton, the one Janus expected to have the most trouble with, has an easy smile on his face and a light giggle as Janus makes a sarcastic quip.

It's a relief, but Janus can't help but feel like it's all a strange dream. He's been having a lot of dreams about that smile. He doesn't want to think about what that means.

Slowly but surely, the sides disperse out to their rooms. Remus drags his brother back into the imagination for a round of sparring. Virgil follows Logan into his study, idly chatting about playing another round of chess. That left Janus and Patton still sat on the couch, talking and laughing between bites of cake.

"I must say, Patton," Janus says, "This is.. more than I expected to recieve today."

Patton's giggles taper off; he can always tell when someone was lying, and Janus is strangely honest with that statement. He looks down and fiddles with the sleeves of his cat hoodie, for once worn normally to ward off the slight winter chill.

"Of course, kiddo. I know I've been more pooper and less party with your birthdays since we got older." Patton smiles a little sadly, putting a hand on Janus's. Even through the barrier of sleeves and gloves, Janus still barely suppresses a shiver at the warmth. "And I'm really sorry. Everyone deserves a good shindig for their big day. Especially you."

Janus pauses halfway into a bite of cake and looks at Patton, searching his expression. All he gets back is honesty and sincerity. He swallows.

"I.. that means a lot, Patton. Truly." He doesn't know what else to say, and it takes him a good few moment to find his voice. "I don't doubt that we will be at odds again in the future. Although, I hope it will be without the animosity."

Patton holds his hands up, fingers curled like claws. "Well, I'm a cat and you're a snake. Those are animals, eh?"

Janus blinks for a moment, then groans long and loud as it hits and Patton cackles with self-satisfied glee. "That was good! I got you, huh?"

"Oh yes, you got me," Janus chuckles, "Devestated. The effects of your wordplay are truly catastrophic."

Patton's eyes light up. "...Cat-astrophic, you say?"

Janus gasps and holds a hand to his chest in shock. "Oh dear. It's contagious."

They both break out into easy laughter. By the end, their faces are flushed and even as the silence relapses, it is comfortable.

"I really do mean it, Patton," Janus whispers, "Thank you."

Patton smiles back, his face flushed brighter red. "You have icing on your face."

Janus blinks and sets his plate down trying to wipe it away. Patton shakes his head and reaches his hand out.

"Let me get it."

Patton's hand is warm against the scales on his face, and the gentle touch of his lips against the corner of Janus's mouth even more so. Janus swallows a strangled noise as Patton flicks the tip of his tongue out, just for a light swipe, before pulling away.

"Lemon's one of my favourites," Patton says with a smile, and Janus's face mirrors the dark flush on Patton's. "Happy birthday."

There's a slight breeze as Patton leaves for his room, leaving behind a lingering warmth and the taste of lemon. Janus sits quietly for a long moment, one hand rising up to touch the corner of his lip. It twitches up in a smile.