#dadciet

Janus: Remus, let me see what you have

Kid!Remus: A KNIFE!

No one alive knows how Dee manages to raise five kids primarily on his own. He's not sure himself, but having some of the best kids in the world makes it a whole lot easier.

Part One

Part Two (½)

Part Two (2/2)

Part Three

Ft. Parental Anciet, Rociet, and Demus, Parental Logicality, and a smidge of Mociet

Tw: minor character death, cursing, mention of a car accident, drunk driving, blood

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Janus woke up in bed with each of the twins curled up at his sides. He smiled at his nephews a moment before his phone dinged. He glanced at it before pulling it off the charger and walking into the kitchen.

I don't care what that bitch's will said.

I want my kids back.

Janus sighed. He thought he blocked Diana's deadbeat boyfriend's number. He quickly typed out a response, though, to let that asshole know he wasn't coming anywhere near Roman, Remus, and Virgil.

First of all, that "bitch" is my sister, who died three months ago. If you actually cared about HER sons, you would have come for them earlier.

Janus took a few deep breaths to try and steady himself. He had told himself it wasn't Oliver's fault over and over. Oliver wasn't the one who was driving drunk, Oliver wasn't the one who hit Diana's car at three in the morning, Oliver wasn't the one who took a mother away from two five-year-olds and a baby. And yet......

They're MY kids. I made them.

If you think you can take them just because Diana said you're their guardian, then you've got another thing coming.

Hands shaking, Janus deleted the messages and blocked Oliver's number. Oliver might not have killed Diana, but his drinking habit and inability to hold a job had drained her college fund. He might not have hit her car, but he disappeared in the middle of the night and left her with nothing. He might not have taken his son's mother from them, but he was the reason she was out on the road that late.

And if he thought he could take Janus's nephews just because he was their birth father--

"Uncle Janny?" Janus turned around to see Remus looking up at him, sleepy eyed and clutching an octopus plushie. "Can I have some water?"

"Of course, sweetpea," he said softly as he walked to the sink. As soon as Remus had a glass in his hand, Virgil started crying. Janus hurried to their room and had a bottle for him in minutes.

Soon everyone was fast asleep again. Janus hugged the twins closer to him, heart pounding. His apartment was too small, Oliver was back in his life, and all his friends were either at University or settling down, too far away for him to reach. Janus had never felt so alone.

***

Roman was sobbing, Remus was holding his hand, and Janus was trembling. "W-what happened," he asked, staring at the blood covering Roman's knee and dripping down his leg.

"He tripped and fell hard on the sidewalk," Remus said. Janus took a deep breath.

This was bound to happen. Just go get some towels, or bandaids, or something.

Janus forced himself to put one foot in front of the other and get the supplies necessary to treat a hurt knee. When all the blood was cleaned up, the scrape wasn't that bad. Roman's tears slowed down and Remus's grip on his hand loosened. Roman gave Janus a hug once the bandaid was on.

"Thanks, Uncle Janny."

"Of course. I love you."

"Love you, too." Janus smiled. He was still shaking, but everything was okay now. His phone chimed twice, and he glanced at it. The first message made his heart skip a beat.

I've got a lawyer now, Pine. I'm taking them back.

How did he get around the blocking? How?

"We're gonna go back out and play again, okay," Remus asked.

"No!" The twins flinched. "I-I mean..... Why don't we stay inside and watch movies?" Remus and Roman exchanged a look, then slowly nodded. Janus smiled, pushing back the tears of relief in his eyes. "Okay! I'll make pizza and garlic bread. You guys pick a movie, okay?" Roman and Remus went to the media cabinet. Janus threw some frozen pizzas and breadsticks into the oven, locked all the windows and doors, and grabbed Virgil.

The rest of the night, every bump startled him. He never fell asleep, either, for fear of Oliver breaking down the door and taking the boys from out from under his nose. His phone went off twice more during the night. He left it, terrified that it was more threatening messages. And as the clock inched closer and closer to seven, there was only one thought in Janus's head.

I'm not ready for this.

***

Janus checked his phone on his break, struggling to keep his eyes open. There was nothing more from Oliver, thank God, but there were three unanswered messages from a number Janus didn't recognize.

Hey, this is Janus Pine, right? I'm Patton Hart.

I was your nephews' doctor when they lived in my area. I'm sorry I wasn't able to come to Diana's funeral. I didn't hear she died until last night. She was a good friend, though. I've known her since Roman and Remus were babies.

I just realized how late it is. Sorry.

Janus read over the messages a few times and smiled a bit.

Hello, Dr. Hart, he typed. I'm sorry I didn't answer your messages last night. I received some upsetting news.

Patton responded almost immidiately.

That's okay! I just thought you might want to hear from one of her friends. And, please, call me Patton.

Janus smiled. Then another text from Patton came.

I.... Also wanted to make sure the boys were okay. They're living with you, right?

Janus frowned. That was a little suspicious.

Yes, my nephews live with me, and they're quite alright. Why?

Janus had to go back to work again, but he'd be talking to Patton more once he was home.

***

Patton didn’t answer until Janus had finished washing the dishes from dinner.

No reason! They were friends with my son and I wanted to let him know they were doing alright. He’s been really worried.

Janus stared at the message, sensing bullshit from miles away.

You know about Oliver.

.... Has he been giving you trouble?

He has a lawyer and is trying to take the kids from me.

That fucking asshole!

Janus gaped at the last message. From what he could tell, Patton was fairly sweet and even-tempered. Then again, he didn’t really know him. They had only met today, and only over texts.

Sorry for that. He just makes me so mad.

Join the club.

Diana was too good for him. That deadbeat never did anything but drink, watch TV, and scare the twins. They stayed over here practically every other night for two weeks, then Oliver just up and left. Diana had to work and care for the boys on her own for months.

She was hysterical when she called. She was actually going to move her family back here and live with me before her car got hit.

Yeah. You shouldn’t have to worry about Oliver too much, though. I took Diana to get his parental rights terminated about two months before she left.

Janus laughed a bit, wiping tears out of his eyes. Oliver couldn’t take his nephews away from him!

Thanks, Patton. That makes me feel a lot better.

No problem, Janus!

You know, if you wanted, you all could stay with my son and I for the weekend. Logan would love to see his friends again.

That would be great. I’ll ask Roman and Remus.

***

Janus parked his car outside a small pale blue house with a wrap around porch. Roman and Remus shot out of the car. “LOGAN!” A small boy with square shaped glasses jumped down the steps and ran. The boys all collided into a messy group hug, practically sobbing.

“I missed you guys so much,” Logan said.

“We’re never going to leave you again,” Remus said firmly.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Janus said, carrying two suitcases and wearing Virgil in a baby sling. The door of the house opened, and a tall man with messy blond hair, crooked round glasses, and freckles all over his face and arms stepped onto the porch. His face broke out into a grin as he caught sight of Janus, and he bounded down the steps. 

“Hi!” Janus smiled a bit.

“Hello, Patton.”

“Let me help you!” Patton took one of the suitcases from Janus and started up the steps. “Why don’t you three go play in the backyard?” Logan, Roman, and Remus nodded and ran around the house. Patton showed Janus Logan’s room, where Roman and Remus would sleep, and the guest room, where he had set up Virgil’s crib. Afterwards, they ended up in the kitchen. Patton held Virgil, the small child hugging the doctor tightly.

“Thank you again for this. I needed to get away.” Patton smiled.

“Of course! I’m glad to see the boys again.” And then the three small tornadoes blew into the kitchen. Logan held up a jar containing a cricket.

“Dad, look! Acheta domesticus!” Patton leaned closer to take a look.

“It’s a cricket!” Roman cheered.

“Can we eat it,” Remus asked. Logan glared at him.

“Of course not! We have to pin it to my board.” Remus grinned.

“That’s even better!” The boys blew out of the kitchen and ran up the stairs. Patton chuckled and shook his head. “I missed them,” he told Janus. “I miss Diana, too. I’m really, really sorry she’s gone.” Janus shook his head, a bitter smile on her face.

“Hey, you didn’t hit her car.” Patton nodded and looked at his feet. Janus sighed and closed his eyes. “I just wish I got to say goodbye, you know? Or that I knew what to do. I’ve got to take care of Roman and Remus now. I don’t have a clue what they need or what they want from me.” Janus fought the lump in his throat. “I don’t know what to do.” He turned his head and brushed the tears out of his eyes.

“Hey,” Patton said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I didn’t, either, when my ex and I had Logan. No one does. You just have to do what you think is right for them and hope that they don’t hate you for it in the end.” Janus laughed humorlessly.

“Thanks, that makes me feel great.” Patton laughed too.

“It’ll get easier,” he said. “I promise.” Janus rubbed his eyes.

“I wasn’t ready for any of this.”

“No one ever is.”

***

Janus woke up in the middle of the night with a dry mouth. He crept into the kitchen, peeking into Logan’s room on the way to check on the twins. He grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water. After he had his drink, he found that he couldn’t sleep. He found a magazine in a rack by the recipe tins and sat down at the table. As he flipped through one, something fell out. Janus picked up the card. It was addressed to Dr. Patton Hart, and written in Diana’s handwriting. Against his better judgement, he opened and read it.

Dearest Patton,

First of all, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for my sons and I. You’ve been a better friend to me than anyone I’ve ever known. You stuck by me through everything with Oliver, and I can’t thank you enough or ever really repay you. That’s why I’m sorry to leave this way.

I have so much to say. There’s so much you don’t know about my past, my family, my hometown. I wish I could explain everything to you, but I don’t have the time or the space for that. What you really need to know is I’m taking my family and I’m going to live with my brother. I’m going to give you his phone number. If anything happens to me, please contact him. And whatever you do, don’t let Oliver take them from him.

I’m going to miss you, Patton. Give Logan my love.

Love,

Diana

Janus’s phone number was at the bottom. He couldn’t stop staring at the way she put a line through her sevens, or the way she still drew a heart over the dots on her i’s. And suddenly, months of pent up emotion suddenly burst forward, and he began sobbing. And then Patton’s arms were around him. Janus buried his face in Patton’s chest and felt tears falling onto the top of his head. “I-I’m sorry, I couldn’t s-sleep.”

“I couldn’t either.” Patton stood up and sniffled. Janus wiped away his tears. Patton looked at his feet, then at Janus, then at the ground again. “Do you.... Maybe.... Want to sleep in my room. With me. Tonight? I just-- you look so much like her and I don’t want to be alone tonight.” Patton exhaled slowly. “I’m sorry, that’s so weird.” Janus shook his head.

“I miss her, too,” he said. “You... You really don’t mind if I stay with you?” Patton shook his head. Janus took a deep breath, stood up, and grabbed Patton’s hand. “I.... I don’t want to be alone, either.” Patton smiled gratefully, and led Janus up to his room. They slid under Patton’s Steven Universe sheets. Janus cuddled close to him and rested his head on Patton’s chest. Patton wrapped his arms around Janus, and they fell asleep together.

-----

Taglist:

Janus: Don’t worry monsters aren’t real.

Virgil: But it was terrible and ugly and horrible. 

Janus: If you really want I’ll check it for you. (opens closet to find a mirror)

Virgil:

Janus: 

Virgil: 

Roman and Remus just want to know the answer to their question. Janus doesn't want to answer.

One Shots set in the Forms of Family AU, but that doesn’t need to be read first.

Logan Time

A Sick Mini-Me

Christmas Traditions

Thanks For The Family

Brotherly Perfection

The Beach

Dadceit Halloween Hijinks!

RoRo

A Lumpy Bed

Baby Virgil is The Smartest Of All The Sides

Guess!

Weird

The Birthday Present

The Play

Jesus Take The Wheel

Too Old For Nightmares

Virgil’s just trying to fake his way through life, but when he finds it hard to shake his hot boss’ boss’s attention- on account of their adopted sons being twins- things get complicated.

~~~~

Step One: Totally Do Not Find Him Attractive

“Handouts. Poster. PowerPoint. Lunch money. Lunch box. Lunch. Snack. School supplies. Roman... I think I have everything, so why do I feel like I’m missing something?”

“Dad? You’ve said that four times, but we haven’t left yet.”

“Fine,” Virgil sighed starting the car. “We’re leaving. We’re leaving... So, are you nervous for your first day Ro?”

Virgil watched as the seven year old shook his head in the rearview. 

“Some of my friends from camp will be there.”

Virgil nodded, “True, it’s good that you’ll already have some friends. Not that you’d ever have a problem making them.”

Roman beamed a smile at him, “Of course. Everyone wants to be my friend.”

“Is that right?”

“Yup. But are you nervous?”

“Very. I have a presentation at work.”

“You always have a presentation.”

“True, but this one is for my boss’ boss. So this one is very important.”

Roman rolled his eyes, “You say all of them are important.”

“They are.”

“You worry too much.”

“I don’t- coffee! That’s what I was forgetting!”

Two months had passed since Virgil had picked up his and Roman’s life for his new job. It had been difficult, leaving to go somewhere he had never been with a child by side, but this job offered more money and he could get Roman in a better school system so he had to. 

And for two months things had been alright. Roman had made fast friends at summer camp, even if Virgil hadn’t really made any, and things were going so smoothly. So of course a presentation which threatened his whole career had to come up. 

It was supposed to be a simple one. Just a collection of everything going on in his department to be shown to higher ups. It was something that his boss was supposed to present to her bosses. And his boss would’ve- had she not have sent Virgil a text at three am saying she was sick and that since he had made the presentation he should do it in her place. 

Two months since he started and he was finally going to meet his boss’ boss. The man in charge of this place. The man whose tongue was apparently so sharp that he made interns cry and employees quit. 

Virgil wanted to puke. 

He took a deep breath in and out as he stared in the bathroom mirror to attempt to calm himself. He was about to do so again when his phone dinged with a text. 

ROMAN’S EMERGENCY PHONE

Already made a friend I think! I’ll tell you all about him! Good luck with the presentation!

Virgil couldn’t stop the small smile on his face as he responded to remind Roman the definition of the word “emergency”, but regardless his son’s words were enough to calm him. He nodded at his own reflection satisfied and headed for the conference room. 

He arrived seven minutes early (early enough not to look insane, but early) the room was already filling with people he recognized and didn’t, but each introduced themselves and settled themselves as they trickled in. 

And for a moment Virgil real thought he could do this. For a moment. Because as soon as that thought crossed his mind the door opened and everyone silenced. 

Virgil looked up from where he was hooking up his computer to the projector to see a man walk in. While Virgil had never seen him or even a picture of him before, the different colored eyes and scar of the stories gave him away to be Dante Ekans. 

The stories Virgil had heard of Dante Ekans spoke of a man with one brown eye and one that looked almost yellow in the light, and a scar that covered half his face (none of the stories however could agree on how he got said scar). The stories spoke of a man who was short tempered, cruel, and stiff. 

The stories seemed to say everything about the man, other than the fact that he was hot in a suit. 

The suit fit him perfectly- but then again the thing was probably tailor made to do so. And everything about it perfectly complimented his face. 

Virgil had assumed that the scar spoken of would make anyone look terrible, so why did he look even more rugged, and serious, and attractive?

“So you’re Storm?” Dante Ekans asked running his gaze up and down Virgil’s form in way which must’ve been unimpressed. 

Virgil forced himself not to pick apart everything that sounded beautiful about that voice and instead nodded, “Yes sir.”

“Then get on with it.”

Virgil gave a hard swallow, “Yes sir.”

The presentation... went. 

It didn’t go badly, and it didn’t go well. But Virgil couldn’t blame anyone else but himself for that. He had started strong, been on a roll for about half of it. But that’s when Dante Ekans had  looked up from his phone for the first time since the presentation started, and that’s when the two locked eyes, and that’s when Virgil forgot how to function like a normal human being. He liked to think he recovered towards the end as he was able to answer any and all questions perfectly as if he had practiced them (because he had). So yeah, it went. 

Virgil was just happy to retreat to his desk afterwards, also known as a safe place where hot bosses don’t exist (according to his coworkers his own boss was hot, but that wasn’t Virgil’s area of expertise). He was just content to drown himself at the work he had, because if he could make it through the day he wouldn’t have to think Dante Ekans again for a while. Just gotta make it through the day. 

Simple enough. 

~~~~

Virgil was texting his boss about the meeting when the back car door opened suddenly. He jolted and dropped the phone and holding back a curse bent down to pick up.

“Dad!”

“Hey Ro,” Virgil greeted looking around for the device on his floor. “How was your first day?”

“Amazing! You’ll never guess what happened!”

Virgil found his phone and sat up to look at his son in the rearview and froze noticing the presence of a second child in his car. 

Even scarier, the child looked just like Roman. 

Virgil turned around in his seat and blinked a few times, “What?”

“Tada!” The two shouted at once. 

Virgil’s mouth opened and closed twice before he was able to speak. He focused on the one he knew was his, “Roman? What’s going on?”

“This is Remus!” Roman smiled happily. “We gotta be twins!”

Virgil nodded with a forced smile, “Alright. Um, nice to meet you Remus.”

“Nice to meet you Mr. Virgil!” Remus smiled. 

Virgil nodded again, “Um boys? Why don’t you hop out a sec? Okay?”

The two boys seemed confused, but did so and Virgil walked around to the sidewalk as they climbed out, waving over a teacher as he did. 

“Remus!” The man said hurrying over. “You cannot go home with Roman!”

The two boys grabbed each other in a hug, “He's my brother!” Remus declared. 

Roman nodded, “Dad! Remember Mrs. Julie always said I had a brother who adopted? It’s gotta be Remus! Our names even go together!”

“Remus you need to go home with your dad, and Roman his,” the teacher tried with a slight sigh (Virgil had met him when dropping off Roman in morning, what was his name? Mr. Hart? That sounded right). “I’m sorry Mr. Storm,” he apologized. 

“Not your fault,” Virgil told him turning his attention back to the duo- who were giving him identical pouting faces. “Roman, you’ll see Remus tomorrow.”

Roman shook his head, “No, I don’t want to be separated again!”

Virgil opened his mouth to comment that the two didn’t know they were brothers yet, but looking at the two it was obvious. “It’s just until tomorrow,” he tried. 

“But Dad.” Roman’s eyes welled with tears. 

“I’m sorry Roman. Another day I can talk to Remus’ parents and then we can get a playdate or something okay?”

Apparently his response wasn’t good enough because that’s when both boys started crying. 

Virgil held in a curse, “Roman come on, you’ll see him tomorrow. You have school everyday.”

This only seemed to make the two cry more. 

“Oh there’s your Dad, Remus!” Mr. Hart smiled suddenly. “Let’s get this figured out.”

“Daddy!” Remus cried letting go of Roman- but he still held Roman’s hand as he moved past Virgil to go to a man who bent down to hug him. 

“Daddy he’s mean!” Remus cried pointing to Virgil. 

His father picked up his head enough to acknowledge Virgil- and Virgil died right then and there. “Did you make my son cry, Storm?” 

Virgil swallowed and took a step backwards at the man’s piercing glare, “Not exactly sir...”

Needless to say, Virgil didn’t make it through the rest of the day without thinking about Dante Ekans.