#kid!janus

Virgil looked up into his best friend’s wide smile. “They’re flowers, Remus,” he said. “They don’t come in green.”

“Do, too,” he said, pointing at the flower border painted above the windows.

“Not in real life,” Virgil insisted. “Those are just pretend.” He went back to his drawing feeling a little guilty about the big purple flowers he’d drawn. Purple flowers were real, though, even if they weren’t growing at Dr. Picani’s house.

“If I prove they’re real, will you add them?” Remus asked, leaning in and staring into his eyes.

Virgil glanced at the purple flowers and nodded. “Uh-huh.”

“Deal!” Remus cheered and ran off to the Book Nook. “Ro! Help me find the flower book!”

Virgil watched him pull books from the big display next to Miss Julie’s reading chair. He’d check the cover and then, shaking his head, toss it into a little pile on the chair. Before long, he shouted, “Found it!” and ran back, waving a big book with flowers all over the cover.

“Walking feet, Remus,” Miss Julie reminded him, but Remus either didn’t hear or didn’t care.

Remus dropped the book onto the table and flipped about halfway through. He pointed to a tiny patch of flowers in the very corner of the page. They had soft green petals almost the same shade and shape as their leaves, but darker in the middle and fading on the edges. “See?” Remus said. “We have this book at home and Daddy reads it to us. They’re called ama—“ His face screwed up, rolling the word around in his mouth. “Ama—Daddy says they’re like lilies.” They both looked at the green crayon in the art box. It was the same bright green as the painted flowers by the window, nothing at all like the flowers in the picture.

“Hang on! I’ll get us paint!” Remus said and ran off again.

“Good morning! My name is Miss Julie.”

Virgil frowned. His teacher’s voice was a little louder than it usually was and she didn’t need to say her name. They weren’t babies. They all knew who she was. He leaned over the table and peered around the corner at the welcome chair.

Instead of already playing with the puppets or reading a story in the Book Nook or even playing in the kitchen—the toy kitchen. They never played in the real kitchen where they got snack—Miss Julie was still sitting in her big welcome chair next to the name tag board.

A mommy was there, holding a little boy’s hand. Someone new.

The boy was even shorter than Virgil was and he hoped he might be younger. Virgil hated being the youngest in the class. The boy wore blue jeans like his and bright yellow sneakers without any laces.

He didn’t answer Miss Julie.

His mommy started to frown but stopped, then smiled at Miss Julie the same way Daddy did when he was talking on the phone. “Janus takes a little while to warm up,” she said and patted his shoulder.

“Well, it’s very nice to meet you,” Miss Julie said to the boy instead of to his mommy. Virgil smiled. He couldn’t see the boy’s face but he hoped the boy smiled, too.

Miss Julie wasn’t like the lady at the dentist office or even at Dr. Picani’s office, talking to the mommy instead of to him.

“Today is your first day, so you get to pick a name tag. Then I’ll write your name on it.”

The boy tilted his head and looked at each shape and color in turn. Virgil was the only boy who’d picked a purple one and he watched as Janus looked at the big purple square for a long time. After a while, though, his hand closed on the yellow circle beside it and he placed it in Miss Julie’s waiting hand.

“A yellow circle like the sun,” she said, then took out her big marker and began to write.

Janus leaned closer and watched her shape each letter. When she asked him where she could pin it, he pointed to his shoulder and he turned so she could reach.

That’s when Virgil saw the big splotchy mark on his face. It looked like when Virgil had skinned his knee and picked at it.

It looked like it hurt.

Brittney had been drawing at the other end of the table. She dropped her crayon and it rolled under the table, but she didn’t even care. She just ran over to Janus and pointed. “Eww! What happened to your face?”

Janus looked away.

Remus did not.

Back from the easels to get paint, Remus held the biggest brush, dark green paint dribbling down the handle, over his hand and all over his arm. He hit Brittney's cheek with the paint brush and yelled, “What happened to your face?”

“Remus!” Miss Julie jumped up and took Remus by the hand and brought him to the timeout corner. When she turned around to take Brittney to the bathroom to wash the paint from her hair and her face and her dress, Remus stuck his fingers in his mouth, making faces. When he saw Virgil watching him, he did it more, laughing quietly.

The other boy, Janus, laughed, too, and his mommy crouched down to whisper in his ear. At first Virgil was afraid Remus had gotten him in trouble. Remus was good at getting people in trouble, almost as much as he got himself in trouble. But Janus just smiled and nodded, turning to whisper something to his mommy.

Miss Julie came back then, Brittney’s hand in hers. She looked down at her, not really smiling. “Now, what did you want to say to Janus?”

“I’m sorry I was rude,” she mumbled.

Miss Julie didn’t look happy. And neither did Janus’ mommy.

“I think that little boy over there has learned his lesson,” she said, then pointed to Remus with her lips. He was sticking out his tongue at his brother and painting his palm with what was left on the brush. “And I suspect this little one has as well,” she said, watching Brittney.

Janus peered around Miss Julie to watch Remus paint his hand. When he finally noticed the attention, he grinned and waggled his fingers like he did when they played monster.

Janus laughed and ran over to him. He held out his hand, too, and Remus painted his hand before Miss Julie could stop him.

He was both impressed and frustrated. If the 'heroes' were getting smarter maybe they would see things the way he saw them, a corrupted system that needed to be systematically rebuilt, like a parasitic mushroom using it's host to build new structures; but if they were still trying to stop him, then it meant they didn't understand. It meant the heroes were still operating under the notion that his methods were 'villainous'. Logan pushed a hand through his hair. He his statistics were far better than any average hero. He lost less civilians to collateral damage each year and his civilian persona donated more to charity than the top two heroes combined. Not that this was a contest of charitable contributions. Besides, Logan would admit that his charitable contributions weren't always for altruistic reasons. The tax system was flawed and Logan was more than happy to exploit that failure if it meant his money could go to the charities he wanted it to go it. 

Lost in thought Logan bumped into one of his staff, reaching out he grabbed their shoulder, an apology already on his lips. The problem was, this wasn't one of his staff members. Sure, they were wearing the uniform, but Logan didn't recognize the face, and he knew everyone in his employ. He narrowed his eyes, and the imposter's eyes began to grow wide before scrambling for control.

"Sorry boss, I wasn't watching where I was going." 

"That's quite alright," Logan responded, but gripped the person a little tighter. He had found the hero, and it was truly impressive how deep they had made it into Logan's space without being detected. He would have to find out exactly how they had found him and what they were planning on doing with the information they had gathered. "But where were you headed? I was certain everyone was making their way to the meeting hall." Logan had called a meeting to talk to his employees, to inform them of the potential intruder. It looked like he'd be able to cancel that now and let people go back to their normal jobs.

"Right, the meeting hall," Logan would give it to this hero, probably some kind of disguise power, either shapeshifting or physical illusions. If their ability had been to pass without a trace, Logan wouldn't have noticed them. As it was he was only paying attention because they had bumped into one another. "I needed to use the rest room first?" It was a question more than a statement. They were floundering, they looked a bit old to be new to the hero game, so probably a disguise. "I think I might have gotten turned around."

Certainly they had. Logan's eyes narrowed as he thought through a few different possibilities. It was possible they had come from a different country, that would explain why Logan didn't recognize them and also why their speech felt a bit stilted. It wouldn't make sense for an international hero to be after him though, nothing he was doing now would have international consequences, at least not in the near future. Another possibility, which Logan highly doubted, was that his stowaway was a younger hero, illusion and shapeshifting powers would both lend themselves to that, but most of the hero agencies had gotten better about not sending younger heroes into battle. Logan was still disgusted with some of their tactics, but at least he no longer had to fight children. Sixteen year olds shouldn't be handed the fate of the world. Which left, more likely, someone who had been hired from another country. Logan looked at the person in front of him, his grip probably too tight now. 

"It's fascinating, because there are no restrooms down this wing, and also, you look nothing like any of the employees I have personally hired."

Once again their eyes suddenly grew big, it was such an innocent expression. Logan's stomach dropped and he refused to believe what his mind was already telling him. He spoke softer, not quiet reaching the level of gentle, but closer to kind then he had been just a moment ago.

"Why don't you drop your power, and we can have this conversation like civilized adults?" 

He could see the way the imposter looked behind themself, looking for an escape, then they looked back at Logan. "You're a bad guy. You're going to hurt me if I show you who I am."

That... that wasn't how an adult spoke, that was in no way how an adult spoke. Logan fought back a shudder. "I promise I won't hurt you, but I need you to be honest with me. Can you turn your powers off for me? Can you show me who you are?" He wasn't good with children, that wasn't his job. He specifically stayed away from kids, so they wouldn't get hurt and because he had no idea what was developmentally appropriate for what ages. He could guess you shouldn't show an R rated movie to a 12 year old but at what point are you supposed to have serious discussions with kids about the failings of society? When is it appropriate to tell your child you work outside of the law and no one can know what your real business is? Logan felt awkward around kids and he had no idea how to handle the 'still learning to be' humans.

The definitely not an adult in front of him bit their lip, looking up at Logan with pleading eyes before letting out a soft. "Promise?" And Logan had a feeling he was being manipulated but also how could he not promise? This was a child. He couldn't hurt a child and breaking a promise would hurt them. This was another reason he couldn't handle kids. Logan was extremely susceptible to sad eyes, that was how his husband had gotten him. He wanted to rub his face in frustration but he knew that would only show the child he was upset and he couldn't let them know that.

"I promise, I won't hurt you. I don't hurt kids."

Slowly the person in front of him began to shift, body and clothes changing. Logan was curious about the powers, if that meant they were able to create clothing or if somehow their clothing was apart of themself. Something to examine a different time. When they were done shifting, it still felt off, like they were smaller than they were supposed to be. Not to mention it looked like the shifting had started to hurt. Who was taking care of this child? Why were they using their powers if it hurt them? Did they get hurt every time they used their powers or only when they used them too much?

"That's better," Logan hesitated before corching down so he could still be at eye level with the kid. "My name is Logan and I use he/him pronouns. What is your name and what pronouns do you use?"

The child hesitated, looking at Logan, looking away again, then looking back at Logan. He tried to keep a relaxed smile on his face so he wouldn't be intimidating, but Logan was freaking out internally.

"I- I'm Janus," the child finally responded, "And use he/him pronouns?" It sounded more like a question. "And I'm 8!" Now that was a lie, but Logan would let it pass for the time being.

"Well, Janus, do you want to tell me what you're doing in my offices?"

Janus shook his head 'no' very adamantly and Logan let out a soft sigh. 

"I can't help if I don't know what's wrong," and he couldn't throttle the person who had sent a child into danger unless he found out who did it.

There was hesitance in Janus' face, like he didn't know what to do. "You're Logistical? Right? All of the adults say Logistical is a really scary bad guy."

Technically true, but also grossly simplifying the world. Also, Logan was typically good at keeping his civilian persona and his 'villain' persona completely separate, how had someone figured out who he was? How had a child for that matter? "My name is actually Logan, and I don't believe I'm a bad guy. I'm try to help people. Can you tell me what adults have been saying I'm bad? I'd like to have a conversation with them."

"No, your name is Logistical, it says it right there," Janus pointed above Logan's head and he looked up and around. There weren't any signs. Interesting. Could the child have dual powers?

"And it's the adults at the orphanage. They say you're a..." Janus' little face scrunched up, "Rabbit rouser." 

"A Rabble-rouser?" Logan asked.

"Yeah, that." 

While not un true, the fact that their words had spurred a child to come fight him, or possibly worse, that they had even encouraged this behavior mad Logan's blood boil. 

"Do the adults from the orphanage know you're here?" If they didn't Logan's fury could wait. It could be pinpointed on the institution and not the people there.

Janus shook his head no, this time more slowly. "But they said if we got powerful enough then super parents might love us because we could help, and if I defeat a villain then I could get a home for me and my brothers." Fuck that. Logan was burning that place to the ground. Why, in hell, did a child, a young child, not 8, maybe a little older, believe he needed to fight people in order to get adopted. Logan might not know what to do with children, but this absolutely wouldn't stand.

Getting to his feet, Logan brought his cuff link to his lips, pressing a secret button on it. "Emile, I have a situation I am currently handling. Can you tell everyone crisis averted, then meet me in my office? I need you to bring your notary documentation and my husband." It wasn't a request so he didn't wait for Emile to respond. Instead he reached out his hand for Janus. "How about this? How about I adopt you and your brothers, and then you can just be kids? No fighting needed."

Janus looked at Logan's hand, a skeptical look on his face. "I don't trust you."

"It's good not to trust people, especially people you don't know, but nonetheless, I don't like the way you are being treated and so I plan on fixing that. This is purely selfish and when someone is being selfish, you can normally trust that."

Janus bit his lip, but then took Logan's hand. He shifted again and this time it felt more natural. He was a few inches taller and his hair was a messy brown. There were concerning scars over multiple parts of his body but Logan would have his doctor check them out. "I'm actually ten," Janus said, and Logan gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"That's good to know, I wouldn't want to have your age wrong when I go to adopt you. Now why don't you tell me about your brothers, how many do you have?"

"Five, but one of them ran away." Well, it looked like Logan was going to have to get a search party together as well, unless the four child was smart enough to come looking for Janus, that would make things a lot easier.

"Very well then, what are their names."

"There's Virgil, and the twins, Roman, and Remus, Justin is the one who ran away, he was older, but the other ones are younger, and I have to protect them." 

Logan brought his cuff link back up to his lips. "Emile, I'm also going to need a few books on parenting." What was he doing? Well, whatever it was, he wasn't letting this kid go through life alone.

Five

Virgil was burning up. He wasn’t sick or anything, but the nerves surrounding this date had every nerve on fire to the point he was surprised he hadn’t melted into a puddle. Was it possible to get heat stroke while blasting AC in a car? If not, he’d likely be the first victim of such insanity. There was just too much riding on tonight. Sure, romance was on the line- but more than that, his job was on the line, and so were his relationships with Logan’s sons. 

Because what if he did something so horribly stupid tonight that left Logan’s fancy suit covered in fancy dinner? Surely, he’d be fired on the spot. And just like that, no job. No money. He wouldn’t see the twins or Patton. Janus would lose some friends. Janus would never get his own room. He’d-

“Are you okay?”

The deafening silence that was swirling around Virgil began to splinter at the sound of his nephew’s voice. Glancing in the rearview, he could see that Janus had looked up from the book he had been reading- was it too dark to be reading that now? The sun was beginning to set, so he shouldn't be straining his eyes. Virgil opened his mouth to tell his nephew so when he saw Janus frown, “So you’re not okay.”

“No-no! I’m fine. I’m fine! I was just going to say you should stop reading for now. But I’m fine!”

“You said that three times.”

“Because it’s three times the truth.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“Well, yes, um… it doesn’t matter. I'm fine, Janus.”

“No, you’re not. Are you worried about your date?”

“A- a little- just the tiniest bit. It’s been a while since I was even on a date.”

“Was that with the guy who cheated on you?”

“W-what? What?” Virgil sputtered. 

“When I talked to Mom this morning, I told her you were going on a date. And then she said that the last guy was really mean, and he cheated on you, and he made you cry. So she said it’s now my job to watch out for you ‘cause sometimes you have bad taste like she does. But Mr. Logan is nice, so I don’t think you need to be nervous.”

Virgil gave a long and heavy sigh before he couldn’t help but smile, “Well, I’m always grateful to have you on my side, Jan… But what else did your mom say about me? Or my past boyfriends?”

“Nothing really,” Janus shrugged (to Virgil’s relief). “Just that you should take her advice more.”

Virgil gave a frown and mumbled to himself, “Did she tell you she’s a hypocrite too?” 

“What’s that mean?” 

Apparently, Janus had good hearing. Good to know. “I’ll tell you later,” Virgil said, pulling into Logan’s driveway. “For now, let’s head inside.”

Inside the home, Virgil found Logan in the family room talking with three other staff members, likely talking about watching the children for the evening… Virgil wished them luck. Upon realizing their arrival, Logan turned to grave Virgil with a small, slight, barely there smile, which somehow made Virgil’s knees feel like goo. He was dressed nicely (as always)- Logan’s attention snapped back to the few he was speaking to, and hushed voices were heard as they crowded Logan before they abruptly shoved Logan in Virgil’s direction. 

Virgil was about to comment on it, when he noticed that in the second he had turned around Logan’s perfect hairstyle had been messed up the tiniest amount in what was clearly an intentional way. Perhaps those three weren’t discussing babysitting at all, had he asked them for advice? The mental image was one Virgil couldn’t help but smile at. 

“You look nice,” Logan said with a nod. 

“You as well, I-”

“Mr. Logan?” Janus interrupted. 

“What can I do for you, Janus?” Logan asked, redirecting his attention. “If you’re looking for my boys, they’re in Roman’s room.”

“Okay! But first, what’s ‘hypocrite’ mean?”

Virgil gave a heavy sigh as Logan answered the question. “A person who says one thing then does another. Like if I told you to eat your vegetables but I never do. Does that make sense?”

Janus pondered for a moment or two before he nodded and turned to Virgil, “Then my mom’s one for not listening to you but wanting you to listen to her?”

“…She listens sometimes.”

“No, she doesn’t. I’m gonna go upstairs to play. Have fun!”

When his nephew disappeared, Logan let out a slight chuckle, “It sounds like you two are having quite… intellectual conversations.”

Virgil’s huff in reply only made Logan’s smile widen, so he turned away. “Let’s not miss our reservation.”

Dinner did not go as planned. 

Despite arriving at their reservation early- their table had apparently been given away which led to waiting. And upon finally being seated their waiter took the drink and appetizer orders and then promptly ignored their existence. The drinks had eventually found a way to them, but as time passed Virgil had the sneaking feeling that the appetizers would never come. This was only proven correct as the waiter vanished from the floor entirely, and according to the whispers of employees in the dining room- he had left the building entirely. Virgil couldn’t help but want to be a tad nosier, but he caught Logan’s amused gaze. 

“Any more info?” 

Virgil shook his head as he sipped at his near-empty water, “Nothing I can hear from here. But sorry, I forgot what I was saying.”

“I don’t recall myself,” Logan admitted. “I was staring at the couple behind you who received their meal. We have been here far longer than they have.”

“Does the food look good, at least?”

“As hungry as I am, everything does. I neglected to eat lunch today.”

“What? Why?”

“I was distracted by the boys and pulled in different directions. I had to make some calls, and then I had a meeting over Zoom. Ultimately, I didn’t even realize I had missed a meal until I began to get ready. So I simply ate an apple to tide myself over until dinner.”

“That’s not like you at all.”

“I agree. But I digress; how was your day off with Janus?”

“Good, good. I had told him to pick what we would do today, so we ended up at one of those pottery places where kids can paint the pieces. He was very meticulous over a few pieces of dish ware. He wanted a perfect matching set.”

“That’s adorable,” Logan smiled. “I’ve wanted to take my boys to do that, but I have a feeling that Remus would break far more than he’d paint. But he also wouldn’t take kindly to me just taking Roman even if I took him elsewhere.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

“What did you paint?”

“I chose a shark piggy bank because… because it was there? Anyway, I made it purple with different colored polka dots because it annoyed Janus.”

“Brilliant reasoning.”

“I think so.”

“You-”

Logan’s words and Virgil’s train of thought flew off the tracks at that moment as a server walked by, holding a tray of dishes that looked beautiful but also smelled divine. 

“As good as that looks, I regret not choosing a place I am familiar with,” Logan frowned. Apologies.”

“Don’t apologize; you had heard good things about it. It seems like this is an off day. And I appreciate the thought process that we could try something new together.”

“Why do I sense a but coming?”

“However,” Virgil started because it was a different word than ‘but.’ “It is clear we are both starving, and it’s also clear that our food will never get here considering we still have menus. So, would it be such a bad idea to go elsewhere? I know a hole-in-the-wall a few blocks away with the best tacos I’ve ever had.”

Logan didn’t speak for the longest moment. Rather, his piercing eyes stared into Virgil’s as he folded his hands and sat up straighter in his seat. And in that moment Virgil couldn’t stop the strike of fear that shot through him as he wondered if he had accidentally insulted his date- if he had offended his boss. Logan had put in all this effort for tonight and yet, Virgil just wanted to throw it away. He opened his mouth to quickly amend his statement, but Logan spoke first. 

“Couldn't you have said that ages ago? Do they have quesadillas?”

Virgil gave a slight sigh of relief, “Real good ones.”

“No point in bothering for the check, it’ll take forever. I’ll leave more than enough cash for the drinks. Lead the way.”

The food was wonderful, and with it in their stomachs, conversation flowed easily. It was almost scary how easily Virgil forgot he worked for Logan. Right now, they weren’t boss and employee; they were just two (severely overdressed) guys on a date, and that was perfect. There was something alluring about just watching Logan be Logan. Just in the way he spoke and expressed himself as if trying to remain reserved but in the same way allowing Virgil to see his true expressions underneath. Virgil had always known how nice it was to listen to Logan speak of his children, but it was just as nice to hear him speak about his life and dreams. And even nicer was how smoothly he came up with ideas on how to integrate Virgil into them. It was a first date unlike any Virgil had been on, and as Logan took his hand as they walked back to the car- Virgil couldn’t have been more thrilled with that fact.

~~~~

And roar it did, like a thousand lions staking their territory from across the plains or a great dragon sounding a battle cry over a castle full of knights. It lingered this time as well, seeming to echo around and around in his skull. His eardrums throbbed with the noise and he tried in vain to keep tears from falling as the sound finally faded only after an eternity had passed, leaving him shaking as if he was buried in snow rather than overheating under a thick duvet. Making up his mind he waited for the next flash of light, holding Vee as tightly as he could in preparation for the next roll of thunder. Pressing his lips together he fought hard to stay calm as the walls shook once again with the force of the noise, though thankfully it seemed to take a little longer for it to start. He remembered Virgil saying that that meant it was moving further away.

It didn’t matter now as he took a breath and threw the covers off quickly, almost slipping as his feet fought to find purchase on the floor in his hurried state. Managing to catch himself in time he made a beeline for the door, throwing it open and sprinting out as the hallway was illuminated by another flash of lightning. He fell against the wall and pressed himself as close to it as he could while curled around his bear as thunder roared once again, somehow louder in the hallway than it had been in his room and making the soles of his feet vibrate with its intensity. He cried out before slapping a hand to his mouth and snapping his head up in fear as something touched his shoulder, thankfully greeted by Logan with his glasses askew and rumpled pajamas hanging off of him. Dee didn’t even bother thinking before throwing himself at the other, clutching to his pants legs in fear and burying his face against his knee. He was embraced somewhat awkwardly from the angle but it still helped him relax someone, shaking abating only a little as another strong roll of thunder sounded through the hall.

“Dee. Can you hear me?” The soft question cut through his fear and he nodded. “Would you like me to pick you up or would you simply like your hand held? I’m asking because I think our best course of action would be to go to the kitchen and turn the lights on...and maybe since it’s a special case...make hot cocoa as a treat to help us feel better.”

At the mention of cocoa, Dee’s mood instantly improved, stepping back hesitantly while still clutching his bear to his chest. Logan waited patiently as the other weighed his options carefully; Dee didn’t want to bother Logan but cocoa definitely sounded better than trying to find somewhere to hide where he couldn’t hear the storm anymore. Holding out his hand he looked up at Logan with hope shining in his eyes. “Cocoa please?”

“An excellent choice.” Logan carefully took his hand and pulled him close as they made their way quietly down the hall, though they were both surprised no one else was awake because of the storm. Logan paused as Dee hesitated in front of Virgil’s room, wanting to wake him but feeling slightly selfish for it since Logan was already with him. Logan thankfully seemed to read his mind and gave his hand a squeeze, prompting the small side to look back up at him.

“He might be awake- he doesn’t do well in storms if memory serves. You can knock if you want to see if he’d like to join us.”

Nodding, Dee reached forward with the bear and knocked gently, rapping just a little more firmly with the last two so he had a chance of actually being heard. The door opened almost immediately to reveal Virgil wrapped up in his hoodie with noise canceling headphones around his neck and eye shadow a deeper black than usual, bringing even the deepest shadows of his room to shame as they writhed behind him. He seemed surprised to see Logan but recovered quickly enough, smiling tightly as he shut the door behind him and reached forward to ruffle Dee’s hair a bit. Opening his mouth to speak he seemed to think better of it and waved instead, not trusting his voice to be normal with the heightened anxiety.

“Logan’s makin’ cocoa!” Bouncing on his toes a bit he looked up at Virgil and held out his hand, keeping his last three fingers wrapped firmly around his bear's paw while he waited expectantly. Taking the hint Virgil clasped his warm hand around Dee’s cooler one and they resumed their walk down the hall. Virgil exchanged a look with Logan that Dee didn’t catch but he was suddenly lifted a bit into the air before being set down gently on the steps, giggling as he was lifted again and again, kicking his feet up and swinging a bit every time time they went down. Storm all but forgotten they lifted him one more time, settling him into Virgil’s arms as Logan went to get out the mugs and cocoa. Still giggling while hugging his bear he leaned back against Virgil and felt the other lay his cheek on top of his head, slightly distorted humming making the silence cozy while Logan turned on the stove to heat the milk.

It was comforting and warm and Dee barely registered that the storm had passed until Logan mentioned it offhandedly, placing three mugs down on the table. Dee watched as Logan paused for a second looking at them, a small small wrinkling his eyes as he looked away to wash the pan. Only after being set down in front of his mug while Virgil sat beside him did he realize why.

“You’re purple.” Virgil started a bit as tiny hands reached forward to pat his cheeks, bear forgotten in light of the new purple he was currently admiring. Squinting his eyes in confusion before realization dawned on his face Virgil smiled openly, tapping on the back of Dee’s hand in a random rhythm as he continued to pat his cheeks. Logan ruffled both of their heads walking past, getting a huff from Virgil and a giggle from Dee as they all settled in front of their drinks and basked in the newfound calm after the storm. They’d all most likely regret saying up this late in the morning, but for now happy content radiated from all of them in the quiet peace of the mindscape.

None of his powers were helpful in fights. He could tell when they were lying, he could attempt to shapeshift but he wasn’t good enough to make himself stronger that way, he could grow more arms to protect himself with but most of the time that just made them hit him more.

 It was all he could do though, so he made himself as small as possible, one pair of arms shielding his head, the other pulling his legs tight against his belly. They kicked him in the back and he whimpered. He could only pray that they’d get bored soon and leave.

 “Hey! Leave him alone!” a voice suddenly called from nearby. Someone came to his rescue? No, that couldn’t be, they probably hadn’t seen him clearly and as soon as they did they would join in or leave.

 “Piss off, squib!” the leader of his attackers called, a boy around thirteen years old, much bigger than Janus. His friends stopped hitting him for the moment but he didn’t dare move.

 “You piss off! I won’t let you hurt him more!”

 “And what will you do to stop us, huh? One little squib against all of us. We’ll take you apart along with him!”

 “You can try but I’ll wipe the floor with you!”

 “Cocky little shit!”

 The guys walked away from him and Janus waited with bated breath for the sounds of the other kid getting punched but instead there was a weird slurping sound and the older kids screamed.

 “What the fuck?!”

 “He’s also one! A monster!”

 “Doesn’t matter, he’s still a squib, just kick ‘im!”

 Janus risked lowering his arms just enough to get a glimpse of the scene in front of him. The other kid was surrounded by the bullies but he was grinning at them with confidence. Above his shoulders was something that wriggled and Janus guessed that’s what made the guys call him a monster.

 A monster, just like him.

 The attackers moved to strike him, the wriggling things did the same and Janus couldn’t look, so he shut his eyes tight and covered his ears as best as he could. He could still hear the yelling and something hitting something else but he couldn’t distinguish who did what.

 He stayed still and waited, and after a few minutes he could feel many feet hitting the pavement, moving away from him. He slowly uncovered his ears and opened his eyes.

 “You’ll pay for this, you monster!”

 “You better run! And don’t bother him again, you fucks!”

 The bullies were leaving and the other kid yelled after them, flipping them the bird. Janus couldn’t believe his eyes. The boy couldn’t be much older than him, the guys must’ve been bigger than him and there’d been at least five of them. How had he managed to fight them off?

 “Bunch of assholes,” the kid said when the bullies weren’t in sight anymore and then he turned to Janus. “You okay?” Only then could Janus see that his nose was bleeding and his cheek was swelling.

 “Me?! What about you?!”

 “Huh? I’m fine.”

 “You’re bleeding!”

 “Am I?” He touched his nose and looked at the blood staining his fingers. “I guess I am.”

 “’I guess’? Doesn’t that hurt?”

 “Not really. I’ve had worse.” Janus stared at him in disbelief. “What about you? Can you get up?”

 Right, he was still sitting on the floor. Carefully, he moved his legs to see if they were hurt but they only stung a bit so he tried to stand. He was almost back on his feet as he stumbled forward, only to be caught by one of those wriggly things.

 “Careful! Can you stand or do I need to help you?”

 Janus shook himself out of the shock and straightened, pushing the thing away. It was slimy. He grimaced.

 “Ew.” The other kid started giggling.

 “I guess you’re fine then.” He held out a hand. “My name’s Remus, I’m an octopus.”

 Janus blinked at him. “An octopus?”

 “Yeah! See my arms?” He moved one of the wriggly things in between them. “I’ve got four of them and I can turn my human arms and feet into them too! And if I try really hard, I can shift the rest of my body into an octopus, too, but I’m not good at that yet.” He grinned. “What’s your name?”

 “Janus.”

 “It’s nice to meet you, Janny! Especially since you’re a monster like me! I haven’t met many other monsters yet.”

 “You say that like it’s a good thing to be a monster.”

 “Isn’t it?”

 “No, it isn’t.”

 “Why?”

 “’Cause the other kids are mean about it.”

 “Why does that matter?”

 “Huh?”

 “Why does it matter what the other kids say? Being a monster is cool! You can do lots of stuff they can’t and no monster is the same as another, we’re unique!”

 “But blending in is better, right?” Janus asked, confused. “If you blend in, other kids won’t bully you.”

 “Bullies always find a reason to be mean, just don’t let them get to you.”

 “Easy for you to say. You can fight.”

 “You can fight, too. You just need to learn how. I could teach you if you want.”

 “You would?”

 “Sure! Monsters should stick together!” He grinned again and Janus couldn’t help mirroring him.

 “Okay.”

 “Great! How about you come over to my house? My brother and his friends are there and one of them can heal us a bit. Do you know your house’s phone number?”

 “I do.”

 “Awesome. Then my mom can call yours, so she doesn’t worry. Let’s go!”