Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Angst, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Angst, Bad Things Happen Bingo, Post-PoF
Tagging: @badthingshappenbingo
The silence of the mind palace is deafening.Â
Pattonâs unwilling to break it for fear of making things worse than they already are, as he heads down to the kitchen to make something to eat. Once upon a time, heâd be cooking dinner for the others as well but now....now they canât stand the sight of him; not that he blames them of course.Â
Yet, he canât help feeling like this isnât all his fault and itâs unfair for them to treat him like it is.
He runs a hand through his hair as he stares into the kitchen.Â
The bright light causes him to flinch and shield his eyes for a couple seconds.Â
Patton softly pads across the cold kitchen floor, thankful for his fuzzy socks keeping his feet warmed.Â
The sadness grows in his heart as he looks around the kitchen and remembers the good times heâs had there with the others. He can picture Logan lingering by the coffee pot, trying to ignore their shenanigans but his lips twitch, letting Patton know heâs amused while Virgil sits on the island in the middle of the kitchen, swinging his feet back and forth as he eggs on Roman, who is attempting to help Patton cook but learns that making pancakes is a tricky business causing Patton to chuckle as he helps to sort out the batter and give Roman an easier task while soothing his ego with his words.Â
Patton shakes his head.Â
He canât do that.Â
Looking back wonât do him any good.Â
He runs his hand over the cool surface of the stove, sitting there unused for ages.Â
Their voices and laughter echo in his head without his permission.Â
Turning away from the stove, he lets out a sigh as he leans against the island, absent-mindedly tracing Virgilâs name on the counter.Â
He screws his eyes shut as he remembers the door to his room slamming open then Virgil, energized by his righteous anger at Romanâs and Loganâs treatment and Janusâ acceptance, he berates Patton loudly and forcefully, not allowing his former best friend get a word in edgewise before leaving as suddenly as he came.
The cold floor comes as a shock, bringing Patton out of his memories but he canât seem to find it in himself to care that heâs on the floor.
Heâs not hungry anyways.
Shifting his position so heâs leaning back against the island with his arms around his knees.Â
Thereâs an ache in his chest heâs been ignoring and he knows the source but he doesnât have anyone to blame but himself for it. Listening to then accepting Janus was the right thing to do and still is especially with Thomas taking the first step. This whole thing has made him reconsider all the Sides. Â
Thereâs an octopus plushie just waiting to be delivered as an apology and an olive branch on his dresser.Â
He misses his famILY so much, he can barely think the thought before the ache grows larger and suffocates him.Â
Suddenly, thereâs a black and gold blur in front of him.Â
Patton looks up and watches as Janus kneels down next to him with an openly concerned look on his face, which heâs not used to seeing from the other Side.Â
âPatton? What ever is the matter?â Janus asks softly.
He blinks in confusion.
A yellow gloved hand moves towards him then he feels Janusâ thumb wipe away something from his cheek. Reaching up his own hand, Patton tentatively touches his other cheek and realizes itâs wet.Â
Heâs been crying without realizing it.Â
That thought causes the waterworks to grow as he struggles to not make any noise.Â
Janus cups Pattonâs face with both of his hands then uses his thumbs to wipe away Pattonâs tears.
âOh Patton....â
Maybe itâs the fact that this is the most physical contact heâs had in months or maybe itâs the fact that Janus doesnât seem to hate him and want him gone; whatever the reason, Patton tumbles towards Janus and wraps his arms around him before burying his face into Janusâs shoulder.Â
Pushing his surprise and shock down, Janus moves his hands so he can hug Patton back and rub his back.Â
They sit there on the floor, neither concerned by the fact but rather, focused on taking comfort from the other Side.Â
Patton realizes heâs been cuddling Janusâ for a long time and canât help thinking heâs made him uncomfortable so he pulls away with force causing him to fall on his back while Janus blinks at him.
âPatton?â
âSorry âbout that Janus, I didnât mean to do that and for that long. You probably hated it,â replies Patton, looking down at his hands.Â
Janus sighs.Â
âIf I didnât want the contact, if it made me uncomfortable...donât you think Iâd make it clear rather than continue it?â he asks.
âUm, yea...I guess.â
Janus does have a point.
But he canât let himself behave that way with Janus because he went down that path with Virgil already and heâs lost his spooky best friend. Without Janus, heâd have no one to talk to so best not to do anything to rock that boat.Â
Pattonâs stomach decides to make its presence known, causing Patton to blush and Janus chuckle.
âLetâs get you something to eat then watch a movie,â he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, âif you want to that is. Or, we could talk about whatâs bothering you.â
âUm, a movie would be nice. Thanks Janus.â
Janus stands up and holds out a hand to Patton to help him up off of the floor.Â
At least, Patton is not alone at the moment and heâll take it because he canât take being alone.Â
Heâd do anything to have his famILY back together.
Who knows what the future will hold in store but they need to figure it out as they go, for Thomasâ sake because what they do, influences Thomas and all the Sides want the best for him.
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Relaxing in the chair, Janus takes a sip of his wine while watching the antics of his friends around him. The white wine is crisp and a little sour but not to the point of being overwhelming, just how he likes it. A chill afternoon is what they all need and deserve if heâs honest.Â
âAlright, alright alright. The gangâs all here!â exclaims Remus loudly as he bounds into the living room.Â
Janus meets Loganâs gaze and smirks behind his glass as he gets an eye roll from his genius friend. Then he happens to look around the room and does a head count.Â
Theyâre one head short or if heâs being accurate --- three heads short but itâs not like he considers Remy and Emile his friends; theyâre just two people who hang around Patton too much and take up too much of his attention, is all.Â
âPattonâs not here, Remus. So no, the gangâs not all here,â he comments helpfully.Â
âNeither are Remy or Emile,â adds Roman.
Only Remus notices how his grip tightens on the arm of the chair at the names.Â
âPattonâs over at Remy and Emileâs for the afternoon,â chimes in Virgil from where heâs sitting on the floor at Janusâ feet.Â
Janus narrows his eyes.
Why is Patton there? He should be here with hi-with his friends.Â
Shaking his head slightly, he tries to push the thoughts of Patton away but Patton has a stubborn grip on his mind. He thinks about the last hangout and canât help glaring at his wine glass --- the way Remy and Emile hung all over Patton (more like hogged Patton all to themselves), the weird look on Pattonâs face any time Janus managed to catch Patton staring at him....how far away from him Patton stayed.
The last memory hits Janus hard in the heart and he barely manages to muffle his gasp so no one else especially Virgil can hear him.Â
A hand squeezes his shoulder gently causing him to break out of his thoughts as the others argue about what to watch and look up at Remus, who stares at him with a concerned look for his best friend.Â
âYou alright, J?â asks Remus softly as to avoid drawing attention to themselves.Â
Janus bites his lip.
âI was...ah thinking.â
Remus stares at him in confusion for a few seconds then he gets it.
âI hope this plays out the way you want it too and doesnât end up blowing up in your face instead,â Remus states before going over to the couch and plopping down next to Logan before putting his head in Loganâs lap and taking over the rest of the couch.Â
The startled expression on Loganâs face nearly makes Janus chuckle.Â
Nearly.Â
-----
Sometimes, making simple things in the kitchen are the most delicious and in this case, puppy chow mix is a perfect example.Â
Patton grins down at the bowl and heâs sure heâs got powdered sugar on his face, at least on his glasses but he doesnât care. All that matters is heâs making something delicious to share with all of his friends. The fact that this is one of Remusâ favorite snacks and heâs been down lately is purely coincidental.Â
âHey Pat, whatcha up to in here?â
Patton looks at the doorway and grins at the sight of Virgil standing there.Â
Virgil raises an eyebrow as he tries to hide a smile at his best friendâs exuberance.Â
âIs the sky blue? Of course, I want some,â he crosses the room then hops up on the counter, out of the way of Patton, âif I donât get some now before Remus gets a hold of the Puppy Chow mix then Iâll never get some.â
Patton chuckles.Â
âOh, Iâve already made Remus his own batch, not to worry.â
Virgil nods his head.Â
Itâs easy to watch Patton work but itâs harder to not want to join in when Pattonâs so excited about what heâs doing.
Then Virgil notices Pattonâs glasses.Â
âWith all of the powdered sugar on your glasses, Iâm amazed you can see anything at all,â he teases.
Patton simply grins at him before sticking his finger into the powdered sugar then booping Virgil on the nose.Â
Blinking, it takes his brain a couple seconds to process what happened. Then Virgil laughs, drawing laughter from Patton. This is one of the reasons Patton is his best friend.
He goes over to the sink and turns on the faucet before wetting a paper towel and using it to wipe off his glasses. Making a mess is part of the fun, at least for him it is.Â
Virgil shakes his head at his best friend.
As he is about to say something else, he notices Pattonâs shirt isnât completely pulled down; instead, it shows off a strip of skin above his pants on the side of his waist. Thereâs something there he hadnât been expecting to see and might explain why heâs never seen Patton without a shirt on in the few years theyâve been friends.Â
Why didnât he know about itâs existence though?
It seems very unPatton-like to keep this to himself as soulmates seem like something right up his alleyway as a romantic person at heart.Â
âIs that a soulmark, Patton?â asks Virgil out of the blue.
Startled, Patton jumps up then tugs on the hem of his shirt where it had risen up and showed off a yellow snake outline.Â
âUh, I donât know what youâre talking about.â
Patton tries to make a mad dash out of the kitchen but Virgil blocks his exit.
âYou have a soulmark and never told me?â he asks firmly.
Looking down at the floor, Patton doesnât know how to answer.Â
âWhat does it matter? Iâm never gonna get to be with him.â
Virgil raises an eyebrow at the confession.
âHim?â
Patton meets Virgilâs gaze as he slaps his hands on his mouth.
âPatton, I want you to be honest with meâŚis Janus your soulmate?â
Relationships: Morality | Patton Sanders/Deceit Sanders, Other Relationship Tags to be Added
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Additional Tags:Â
Chapter 1: A is for Apple + Moceit
Strolling into the kitchen, Patton pauses when he spots Janus already sitting at the dining room table; not that he has a problem with Janusâ presence anymore. Things are better between them these days and it makes Pattonâs heart joyful.
No, the reason he stopped in the doorway and stares at Janus is more comical than that; though, this isnât the first time Pattonâs been stopped in his tracks because of Janus, his devastating good looks does it enough on their own.
No, this time itâs because Janus is eating a red apple.
Normally, someone eating an apple isnât enough to stop someone else in their tracks. However, Pattonâs mind immediately goes to the snake in the Garden of Eden and the damned apple.
Itâs all that it takes for Patton to burst out laughing.
The unexpected sound causes Janus to drop the apple as he looks over at Patton laughing, his eyes wide and his mouth open. Shaking his head, Janus gathers himself then a fond smile blooms on his face as he watches Patton laugh. He could never tire of the sound.Â
âAre you alright, Patton?â he asks.
Patton takes a couple deep breaths with his eyes closed before opening them and sending Janus a bright smile.Â
Then he crosses the room so heâs standing next to Janus at the counter.Â
âSorry about that, Janus. It was completely random,â replies Patton sheepishly.
âDonât apologize, itâs always lovely to hear you laugh,â compliments Janus.
Patton ducks his head and tries to hide his blush but knows he failed when he feels Janus place his hand underneath his chin and gently guide his face up so he looks Janus in the eyes.Â
Unfortunately, the fond smile on Janusâ face only causes Pattonâs blush to worsen.Â
âDarling, please...thereâs no need to hide your beautiful face from me,â he compliments once again.Â
âJannnuuussss!!!!â
Janus chuckles before stroking Pattonâs flushed cheek gently.Â
âAlright, Iâll stop for now so you donât spontaneously combust on me so in the meantime, why donât you tell me what caused your laughter,â says Janus.
He exchanged Pattonâs cheek for his hand, giving it a squeeze then smiling when he felt Patton return the squeeze.
Patton nods his head.
âI got a random image or thought in my head when I saw you eating the apple. With your emblem thingy being a snake, I couldnât help but think about the Garden of Eden,â explains Patton.
Janus blinks.
Then he snorts causing Patton to giggle.Â
 âI can see how that would stop you in your tracks and make you laugh,â states Janus.Â
âItâs silly, I know but I canât help my imagination sometimes,â says Patton.
Janus places his finger on Pattonâs lips then smiles when Patton kisses it but doesnât remove the finger.Â
âYou donât need to apologize for things like that, my dear. Now, I do believe we need to get lunch started before Remus decides he wants to experiment,â says Janus.
Patton makes a face at the thought of Remusâ food experiments.
Why on Earth did he let Virgil talk him into this?Â
Hanging out with his friends is all fine and dandy except for seeing his soulmate flirting with Roman. At least, heâs managing to keep away from Janus so heâs not scratching at his mark so much that it gives away his secret.Â
Patton sighs as his gaze wanders over to Roman, Remus and Emile engaged in another Mario Kart race with Janus, Remy and Virgil cheering their respective person on.Â
Letting his gaze drop to his plate, he decides to make an escape into their kitchen and maybe, take a deep breath or two and let go of the stress heâs holding onto but hiding behind a fake smile in order to protect his secret.Â
He stands from his chair unnoticed by the group then heads into the kitchen. Â
Boxes of pizza lay scattered on the counter, intermixed with bags of chips and bottles of soda.
Patton takes a deep breath to clear his head.
âAh, there you are, Patton.â
He looks over to the doorway and smiles slightly at Logan.
âHey Lo. Getting something else to eat?â he asks.
âYou would be correct, Patton. Considering the situation and your question, I conclude you are doing the same as well,â Logan replies.
Patton nods his head before focusing on choosing which pizza he wants to try next.
A loud shout then cheering comes from the living room causing Logan to roll his eyes and Patton to giggle at his antics.Â
âOh honesty. They should just kiss and put us all out of our misery,â comments Logan.Â
Patton raises an eyebrow at his comment.
âWho needs to kiss?âÂ
Placing his plate down on the counter, Logan removes his glasses before rubbing the bridge of his nose as he sighs before replacing his glasses.
âRoman and Janus, of course. Even you, of all people canât have missed their flirting,â answers Logan as he focuses on his selection, deciding to let up on his strict dietary choices for the evening.Â
Biting his tongue, Pattonâs glad that Logan is distracted and not looking at him so he canât see the effect his words had on Patton. This proves heâs right to keep the knowledge of being Janusâ soulmate to himself.Â
âIt is quite the shame that Janus and Roman arenât soulmates. Theyâre exhibiting all of the signs of being soulmates, just without the marks,â says Logan.Â
âHow do you know theyâre not?â questions Patton nonchalantly.
Logan moves to stand near Patton as he takes a bite out of his pizza.
âRoman showed me his bare wrist, though heâs convinced he has one. Though, Janus...on the other hand, has been very secretive and even wears gloves, so I conclude he has a soulmate but has not met that individual yet,â explains Logan patiently.
Patton nods and pretends to agree with Logan.
âIâm gonna go back out and see if I can get in on the action.â
Patton throws out his half eaten pizza before dashing out into the living room before Logan could respond.   Â
This freaking sucks.
As he enters the room, Emile catches his eye before holding up the controller and Patton nods in response. Maybe, a race or two will be the distraction he needs; though, he has to walk right in front of Janus and resist the urge to scratch his mark because it becomes unbearable the longer heâs in touching distance of his soulmate.Â
Patton settles on the floor before taking the controller from Emile, who settles in next to him. Then he looks around to see Virgil taking the controller from Remus and Roman holds up his controller towards Remy who shakes his head.
âNah, Iâm good. Gotta cheer on my guy, Patton,â Remy says, a smirk playing on his lips.
Until Emile coughs that is.
âAh, I mean...our guy.â
Patton blushes as he tries to smack Remyâs leg, it being the closest part of his friend he can reach. His blush grows brighter the moment Emile snuggles up to him from behind.Â
Eyes follow Pattonâs antics then narrow at touches he exchanges with his friends.Â
-----
Apparently, the hangout was the straw that broke the camelâs back for Patton in regards to Janus.Â
He panics because his longing for his soulmate grows a little more each day.Â
Part of him wants to avoid Janus but this isnât one of Romanâs romcoms; they live on the same floor of the same dorm and share the same group of friends. Avoiding Janus is out of the question. Besides, everyone would question him and heâd be forced to reveal his secret. Patton knows it would only end rejection for him and awkwardness for everyone.Â
Patton canât deny though, avoiding Janus holds some attraction to him.Â
âHey, Pat. You good?â
Jumping slightly and slamming his knee into the counter at the unexpected voice, he winces in pain as Roman rushes over to him. The moment he realizes it is Roman, Patton stumbles backwards and lands on his butt with a loud thump.
âPatton?â asks Roman reaching out a hand to help him up.Â
Looking at the offered hand, Patton sighs before getting up onto his feet under his own power and ignoring Roman completely. As he turns away, Romanâs hand shoots out and grabs him by the arm causing Patton to look at him.
âHave I done something to upset you? Iâm sorry, I didnât mean to,â he says gently, âI miss you, Patton.â
Patton opens his mouth to respond as Janus appears in the door.
âHey Roman? Weâre gonna be late if we donât leaveâŚ.now,â he looks at the two of them with a raised eyebrow, âis everything alright in here?âÂ
Removing Romanâs arm from his, Patton sighs then puts on a bright smile.Â
âYou know me, Janus; living the dream,â he responds.
Patton brushes past Janus, roughly bumping his shoulder against Janusâ without thinking before quickly dashing to his room and closing the door behind him. Once itâs locked, he collapses against it and lets out a hiss at the consequences of his rash behavior and makes themselves known.
Relationships: Morality | Patton Sanders/Deceit Sanders, Dr. Emile Picani/Sleep | Remy Sanders, Dark Creativity | Remus "The Duke" Sanders/Logic | Logan Sanders, Other Relationship Tags to Be Added
Thereâs something going on, centering on/around Patton and Janus is going to get to the bottom of it. It started with Remy and Emile but now itâs including Virgil and this will not be allowed to continue. Of course, Patton and Virgil have always been close, Janus knows but lately something has changed; ever since he saw them in the kitchen.Â
Janus also knows he canât get to the bottom of this alone -- heâll need the Shaggy to his Scooby Doo.Â
Making his way to Remusâ room, Janus mentally plans how heâs going to convince his best friend to help him.Â
He arrives at his destination to see the door closed so he reaches out to the doorknob, turns it then opens the door --- only to freeze at the sight of Remus and Logan sitting close together on Remusâ bed and watching something on his laptop.
They looked up at Janus in surprise, not expecting Janus to barge into Remusâ room like he did.Â
âHey J. Ya need somethinâ?â asks Remus.
Janus smiles slightly.
âI do but youâre in the middle of something. I apologize for interrupting,â replies Janus.
He goes to leave the room when Loganâs voice stops him.
âYouâre not interrupting anything. We just finished our viewing of the documentary about deep sea creatures we planned for the day.â
Janus looks between them and takes confidence from Remusâ encouraging grin.Â
âPull up a chair, Jay and tell us upâs up,â says Remus, waving a hand at his desk chair.Â
âI concur. Something has been weighing on your mind lately and though, we are not as close as you and Remus are, I do hope you know you can talk to me...Janus,â offers up Logan.Â
Janus blinks at the unexpected offer of support.Â
Grabbing the chair, he swings it so the back of the chair faces his friends and lets him rest his arms on the top of it.
âThereâs something going on around here and I want to get to the bottom of it. But I canât do it alone, so I need your help, both of you,â Janus states firmly.
Remus tilts his head to the side as he stares at Janus.Â
âDoes this include the stares and glares Spidey has been sending your way the last couple days when youâre in the same room as Patsy?â he asks.Â
Janus takes a deep breath then sighs.
âSee. This is why I want your help, Remus.â
Tapping his wrist on the closed laptop laying in his lap, Logan considers all the information he knows.Â
âExcuse me for asking the obvious but have you tried asking Virgil about whatâs going on?â asks Logan.
Janus shrugs sheepishly as Remus snorts in response to the question.Â
âHeâs not my biggest fan, if you havenât noticed,â Janus replies.Â
âThen you could perhaps talk to Patton then; when Virgil isnât around that is,â suggests Logan.Â
Remus bursts out laughing then ends up leaning against Loganâs shoulder, causing him to blink in confusion at Remusâ reaction to his suggestion.Â
âGood luck getting him to do that. Jayâs a stubborn bastard like that,â he explains as he makes himself comfortable leaning on Logan.Â
Janus smirks.Â
âLike youâre one to talk, Rem.â
Grabbing his pillow, Remus throws it at Janus and manages to knock off his hat, resulting in a glare from his best friend.Â
âAs amusing as this is, perhaps we should get back to the matter at hand,â interrupts Logan.Â
Remus snuggles back up to him causing Logan to fight to keep from blushing though from the smug smirk on Janusâ face, heâs failing spectacularly.Â
âYou have two choices, talk to Patton or talk to Virgil. Those would be the most efficient means to figure out what is going on in order to satisfy your curiosity.â
âUh fine. You have a point. Iâll go talk to Patton,â says Janus dramatically.
âThank fuck. Logan, youâre now my favorite person,â comments Remus.Â
Without thinking, Remus pulls Loganâs face towards him but instead of kissing Loganâs cheek, he plants one on Loganâs lips causing them to freeze and Janus to laugh at them. Then they jump back, an electric shock jumping between them. Remus stares at Logan who stares back at him.Â
Then Remus rips off his shirt and there on his shoulder is a navy blue raven outline.Â
âHoly shit Batman.â
Logan blinks a couple times then shakes his head in disbelief.Â
âIf you just received your soulmark then that meansâŚ.â Logan trails off.
Janus, picking up on Loganâs discomfort, has an idea.
âLogan, my roomâs across the hall and I have a full length mirror you can use privately.â
Nodding his head in thanks, Logan quickly makes his way to Janusâ room then closes the door behind him. Locating the mirror isnât hard and in a few quick seconds, Logan stands before the mirror. He takes a couple deep breaths before removing his shirt from his person then turns around to look at his shoulder.Â
ThereâŚ.sitting on his shoulder blade like itâs been there all of his life is a green outline of an octopus.Â
He has a soulmate.Â
Logan has a soulmate and his name is Remus.
Unable to contain his smile, he dashes back over to Remusâ room where his soulmate waits not so patiently for him.Â
Remus looks up at Logan, a hopeful smile on his face where he sits on his bed as Janus rubs his shoulder in comfort.Â
Moving across the room, Logan drops to his knees in front of Remus then cups his face gently.Â
âYouâre my soulmate.â
Remus smiles softly, in a manner neither man had ever seen from him, as he leans towards Logan.
âMy soulmate. You exist.â
Remus closes the distance between their lips with a gentle but meaningful kiss.Â
They separate and look at Janus when they hear him gasp loudly.
âYour tattoos...theyâre filled in. They only fill in when both soulmates accept the bond,â he explains.Â
Seeing the matching dopey grins of their faces, Janus decides itâs in his best interest to leave.
âCongrats on the bond. Iâll leave you two to it.â
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âPat, thereâs something Iâve been wondering about,â Virgil turns onto his side so heâs looking at his best friend lying next to him, âif youâre cool with me asking about your soulmark.â
Patton copies Virgilâs position on his opposite side.Â
âYeah, go for it Virge.â
Staring at Patton, he took a few seconds to gather his thoughts about how he wants to ask what he wants to ask.Â
âWhatâs the story of your tattoo? I mean, clearly you and Janus kissed but youâre not together and youâve been keeping it to yourself so....?â
Letting out a sigh, Patton knew this had been coming since Virgil found out about his mark. Heâs not sure how to explain it in a way that makes sense.Â
âDo you remember the first time we celebrated the Twinsâ birthday as a group? Freshman year and we drank a lot before playing Truth or DareâŚâ
Virgil taps his chin with his finger as he thinks back to that night.
The eight men were hanging it out in the lounge of their dorm floor with poorly disguised bottles of alcohol being passed around. No one had the guts to actually ask Remus how he got them; some things were better left unknown.Â
Roman sits up straight out of the blue causing Virgil to frown because heâd been comfortably leaning against Princeyâs side. He takes a swig of alcohol.
âOh! I have an idea! Letâs play âTruth or Dare!â
Remus and Janus smirk while Logan looks like heâs going to refuse to join in.
âOoh! Iâve never played âTruth or Dareâ before,â comments Patton before he giggles and almost falls off of the chair if not for the steady hands of Janus, whose lap heâs sitting on because he didnât want to sit on the floor.Â
Over the course of the game, things were seen that couldnât be unseen, heard that couldnât be unheard and memories made that those involved would hope to be forgotten.Â
Roman looks at Patton, still sitting on Janusâ lap and claps his hands.
âSo PattonâŚ.truth or dare?â
Patton considers his choices and his previous ones before choosing the one that would change his life forever.Â
âDare!â
Roman smirks, his plan working out how he hoped it would.
âI dare you to kiss Janus on the lips, a proper kiss.â
Patton blushes as he hesitantly looks at Janus who gives him a soft and approving smile.
Bringing his hands up to cup Janusâ cheeks, briefly admiring how soft his skin is before moving in for the kiss. Janusâ lips are as soft as his skin and very supple and firm under Pattonâs. Suddenly, thereâs a shock like an electrical current that jumps from him to Janus and back again, causing them to separate and stare at each other.Â
Bang! Bang!
It comes from the kitchen where Remus had been attempting to microwave something.Â
Janus jumps up off the couch and dashes towards the kitchen to make sure his best friend is alright and nothing is on fire.Â
Shaking his head, Patton gently touches his lips with his fingers and discovers theyâre still tingling from whatever happened between him and Janus. He grabs one of the half empty bottles and takes a long swig, coughing slightly at the taste of whiskey.Â
By the time Janus and Remus return to the living room, the group decided to watch a movie and Patton curled up with Emile on the floor.Â
Virgilâs eyes widen as memories of that night come flooding back to him.Â
Playing with the hem of his cat hoodie, Patton gives Virgil a slight smile.Â
âI never said anything afterwards because I didnât actually think Iâd ever find my soulmate and you know how intimidated by Janus I was back then. I didnât want him to be disappointed that Iâm his soulmate, I still donât.â
Virgil grabs his hand and gives it a squeeze.Â
âAnd not too long after that night, once we all got over our massive hangoversâŚ.Janus started flirting with Roman.â
Nodding his head, Patton moves closer to Virgil who moves so heâs laying on his back in order for Patton to place his head on his shoulder and cuddle close. â
âI take it that Remy and Emile know?â asks Virgil.
âThey do though I didnât mean for them to find out especially before you,â replies Patton.Â
Virgil kisses Pattonâs cheek.Â
âIâm glad to hear that, Popstar.â
Patton smiles.
âIt was about the time they found out they were soulmates and Emile panicked. He came barging into my room, hyperventilating as I was changing my shirt and he saw my mark. Then we got to talking. It didnât take Remy long to make his way to my room and I had forgotten all about my shirt soâŚ.â
Shrugging, Patton runs a hand through his hair as Virgil snorts.Â
âMan, I could only imagine what that must have been like; the absolute chaos of it all,â he comments.Â
âIâm glad I was able to help them sort themselves out and itâs been nice having people to talk about it, whoâve been through the whole soulmate discovery thing,â says Patton.Â
âTrue, thatâs helpful I assume. If it happens for me then it happens but itâs not the end of the world if it doesnât. I still got you and the rest of the gang.âÂ
Patton kisses Virgilâs cheek.
âTrue dat, homie.â
Virgil shakes his head.
âPlease donât ever say something like that again.â
Virgil drags Roman as far away from the living room as possible, to ensure that Patton and Janus have privacy for their conversation. However, this means he ends up with Princey in his bedroom and not under the circumstances he would have preferred.Â
âAlright, Storm Cloud. What was that all about?â asks Roman, the moment Virgil releases his arm.Â
Virgil huffs, not knowing how to answer but knowing that the catâs hopefully coming out of the bag in the living room certainly helps him decide to tell the truth, more or less.
âSurely, you must have noticed the situation between Patton and Janus,â he runs a hand through his hair but not noticing the way Romanâs staring at him, âthe opportunity to finally get everything out into the open presented itself, so I figured I would give them a hand to take it. They didnât need an audience soâŚ..â
Virgil shrugs.Â
âUh, duh. Even Logan without his glasses on would notice something going on there, especially lately. What with all the glares and stares being tossed around,â replies Roman.
He taps his chin then looks at Virgil.
âYou know, thereâs something else I wanna ask about,â he says.
Moving across the room, Roman stands close to Virgil, causing him to raise an eyebrow in response.Â
âIf you wanted to get me alone in your room, all you had to do was tell me. Thereâs no need for the dragging though with your grip, I didnât know you like it rough,â flirts Roman.
Virgilâs jaw drops open as he blushes the same shade as Romanâs favorite color.Â
âThatâs not--I didnât--youâre reading too much into this, Princey!â
Roman chuckles.Â
âThen whatâs been with all the staring? I know I look good, you can admit it.â
Biting his tongue, Virgil crosses his arms and refuses to respond as Romanâs gaze lingers on him and his blush only gets worse.Â
âYouâre too cute, Storm Cloud,â compliments Roman with a smile.
âWill. You. Shut. Up?â
Shaking his head, Roman continues to grin.
âNow why would I do that when I am getting such an adorable reaction from you?â
Uncrossing his arms, Virgil opens then closes his fists several times as irritation and something else flutters across his face causing Romanâs grin to widen in response.Â
âGah! Youâre so frustrating! What am I going to do with you?âÂ
âOh, Iâm sure youâll think of something, handsome.â
Virgil throws his hands up in the air.
âOh shut up already!â
Roman smirks at Virgil.
âMake me.â
Later on, Virgil would claim it was all the stress from Patton and Janus' situation that made it easier for Roman to get under his skin, not that anyone would believe him, that made him do what he did.Â
Virgil reaches up, grabs Roman by the collar then pulls him down before proceeding to kiss him firmly on the lips.Â
-----
Time has run out and Patton feels like heâs sweating up a storm.Â
God, Janus will hate him for keeping this a secret all this time regardless of his feelings and behavior involving Roman. Why did he think not saying anything would be a good idea again?
âWhat is going on, Patton? Donât say that there isnât because Iâve noticed. Iâve wanted to ask you for awhile now,â comments Janus softly.Â
All Patton wants to do is reach out and grab Janus so he doesnât leave. Does he deserve that though?Â
He runs a hand through his hair as he tries to avoid looking at Janus but he canât keep his gaze away from his soulmate.Â
âYou want the truth, Janus? Iâm scared to tell you but if you want to know then you deserve to know,â says Patton.Â
Pattonâs words stir worry and fear in Janusâ chest, that something or someone could hurt him or worse, make him lose Patton forever. Janus knows he wouldnât be able to survive that.
Spotting the look on Janusâ face, Patton knows heâs going down the same path Roman did when he asked Patton whatâs wrong so long ago.
âIâm not in danger or anything like that,â Patton rushes to comfort his soulmate, a warm feeling blossoming in his chest at the thought of his soulmate caring about him even platonically, âyou donât need to worry, Janus.â
A weight drops from his shoulder and Janus relaxes his stance, smiling a relieved smile towards Patton.Â
The concern still lingers.Â
âThen what is it, Patton? You know you can tell me anything,â says Janus.
Gosh, this is so hard.Â
âYouâll hate me for not telling you sooner and it will kill me when you stop wanting anything to do with me,â Patton admits, looking down at the floor.
Janusâ eyes widen and he stops breathing for a few moments.
Thereâs nothing in this world that would make him hate his sou-hate Patton and want nothing to do with him anymore. Besides, Virgil would absolutely kill Janus for upsetting Patton.
Patton takes a deep breath, knowing this is it and his life will change but whether itâs for the better or for the worse, he doesnât know.Â
No more running.Â
No more keeping what they are a secret.
Patton looks up and meets Janusâ gaze, taking comfort in the smile he sent Patton.Â
âYou and IâŚ.we are soulmates and Iâve known since the twinsâ party back in freshman year when we kissed because Roman dared us to,â he confesses.
Janus blinks then stares at Patton for a few moments.
âOh thank God it wasnât anything serious.â
Patton tilts his head to the side in confusion but before he says a word, Janus removes the glove from his right hand before showing his wrist to Patton.
There sits an outline of a light blue frog.
âOH!â responds Patton with a grin.
Then he frowns.
âSo, you donât hate me for not speaking up and saying something?â he asks.
Janus shakes his head.
âI wish one of us would have said something sooner, all that time wasted when we could have been together but I donât hate you. Iâll never hate you because I love you, Patton,â he takes a few steps until heâs in front of Patton, âeven before I knew weâre soulmates, I loved you.â
Staring up at Janus, Patton could tell heâs tearing up because Janus said everything he wanted to hear.Â
Is this a dream?
In that moment, Janus remembers the phrase âactions speak louder than wordsâ and since Patton isnât being convinced by his words, heâll have to show his soulmate how he feels about Patton being the one for him.Â
Besides, heâs done fighting his desire to kiss Patton after all of this time.
Patton looks up from the adult coloring book he uses to relax as Roman storms into the living room. Placing the book to the side, he stands up to face his friend; unsure about what Roman wants to talk about. Â
âYou. Me. UsâŚ.âhe runs a hand through his hair âI miss you Patton. We donât spend much time together unless itâs with the group and Iâve struggled to figure out what I did wrong to make you not like me enough to want to hang out anymore.Â
Patton blinks at him, never expecting Roman to miss his presence but heâs also in a pickle because he doesnât know how to explain his jealousy over Romanâs interactions with his soulmate.Â
âI donât hate you or anything, Roman. I swear!â
Roman frowns.Â
âThen why Patton?â
Gosh, this is so hard and awkward to explain.Â
They stare at each other for a few moments when Virgil comes in and raises an eyebrow at the two of him.Â
âAlright my dudes, whatâs goinâ on here? Whatâs with the whole showdown stare down?â Virgil asks.Â
âThank god, youâre here J-Delightful. You can help me figure out why Patton doesnât want to hang out with me anymore,â comments Roman.
Virgilâs eyes widen then he looks at Patton before meeting Romanâs frown.Â
âUnless you already know why and havenât said anythingâŚ.â
âItâs not my, uh place to say anything, Princey. I mean, youâve been pretty busy with other people too.â
âVirge!â Patton yells.
Slapping his hands across his mouth, Virgil canât believe he said that.
Roman tilts his head to the side in confusion until it hits him.
âThis is about Janus.â
Patton covers his face, surprised his secret is on the verge of getting out again especially to one the last people heâd ever want to find out about it. The only person worse to find out about it would beâŚ.
âWhatâs this about me?â
Janus walks into the room and stares at everyone though his eyes linger on Patton.
Seeing this for what it is and wanting his best friend to be happy, Virgil grabs Roman by the arm and drags him from the room.
âYou two need to talk and put the rest of us out of our misery, once and for all,â Virgil pauses and looks back over his shoulder, meeting Janusâ gaze, âHurt him and Iâll hurt you.â
Feeling Roman trying to break out of his grip, Virgil tightens his hold before continuing on dragging Roman to his room so the other two can finally sort themselves out.Â
The pair blink as they watch their friends disappear from view.
Then they look at each other as the air buzzes with tension as they realize whatever happens next will change things.
Whether thatâs for the good or for the bad remains to be seen.
One thing is for certain...Patton and his secret have run out of time.