Put On A Brave Face: Four
When Virgil was told he needed to attend a party at Lord Ekan’s household he didn’t have high expectations by any means. Parties were just a place for rumors and whispers to circulate and for him to smile and pretend as if nothing bothered him, they were a space he rather avoid. But even so Virgil never regretted that party in particular, not when it changed his life entirely.
Ao3 - Previous Parts - Masterlist
Four
“Hello Roman.”
Roman glared slightly as he looked Janus Ekans up and down, “Why would you even have the audacity to summon me here?”
Janus’ expression didn’t change as he waved his servants forward to take Roman’s coat. “Well I wanted to speak with you, and it didn’t seem proper to speak to you about Virgil when Virgil was home so inviting you here was the proper choice. But to be completely honest I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
“Father practically forced me.”
“You’d think a man your age would be far more independent.”
“Excuse-”
“I have tea waiting for us in the library by the fire. Should be a good chance for you to warm up.”
Roman was not happy about this in any way. Firstly he didn’t like Janus Ekans. Secondly, he certainly did not like the man for his brother. Virgil could surely do much better. And thirdly, it was cold and he had been dragged out of his nice warm home all the way here. But the one silver lining in that he had a slight plan of sorts.
“Is the tea good?” Janus asked him.
Roman gave a slight shrug, “It isn’t bad. But quite frankly if I am to deal with you Lord Ekans, perhaps you can break out something stronger? I swear to you, good sir, that I’ll be more than willing to speak with you with a bit of liquid courage.”
The neutral expression on Janus’ face wavered slightly before he asked a servant to bring a selection for them.
“In the meantime may I at least tell you what I wish to discuss?” Janus asked.
“Of course.”
“Then, I wanted to ask if there is anything I can do for you which can at least help the two of us be cordial. I understand you don’t like me, you are justified in that I treated you terribly and I know apologies haven’t made up for it. But I do love Virgil and wish to marry him, but I don’t want to upset him because you and I never even tried to sit and talk things through.”
Roman didn’t reply at first. Instead he watched as the servant returned and he decided what he would like to drink, “For now I want you to drink with me. We drink, we talk, and we get to know each other better. How does that sound?”
“Well I...”
“You need to match me in drinks of course. You are the Lord of this Manor after all, and I am but a guest. So do be a gracious host.”
Roman gave a simple yet kind smile to Janus who made his disdain for the situation clear. Roman would forever savor that expression of his. But ultimately Janus gave a nod, “I must warn you that I am not much of a drinker. But I can pretend if that’s what it takes to have you talk to me.”
Roman gave a smile before he tossed back his whiskey, “Let’s talk then. I have lots of things to ask you.”
Janus raised an eyebrow but his gaze was on the glass in his hand as if he was dreading drinking it but finally he gave a sigh and gave in and downed it making a face as he did. “Questions such as?”
Roman watched as the servant refilled the glasses before he spoke. “Firstly, why Virgil? I’m sure plenty of lords and ladies are throwing themselves at you for status. Why pick the sickly cripple?”
There was a flash in Janus’ eye, something akin to anger, good. Anger meant sincerity.
“One would assume you wouldn’t talk about your own brother like that, Roman.”
Roman gave a shrug, “As his brother I am the only one allowed to.”
“I have no interest in people who are just around me for status,” Janus said, going back to the question but he still seemed annoyed by the comment. “As for why Virgil aside from his looks, I initially noticed how brave and kind he was. And upon speaking with him I learned there is even more to him than that. He’s just genuinely a wonderful person.”
“I see. What are your thoughts on me?”
“You?” Janus asked in surprise. “I think you’re a decently good person. Sure our personalities clash, but you mean no harm and I know you ultimately want the best for Virgil.”
“And you're not that. But excuse you, decently good? I am plenty good. Great even.”
A slight chuckle left Janus’ lips but he covered it as he sipped the drink he didn't want. “I’m sure. But what other questions do you have for me?”
The drinking and questions continued on, and true to his word Janus kept up with Roman. Roman was able to get a lot of his questions answered, and Janus' was clearly honest with his answers (to Roman's annoyance). And it was also clear that he hadn’t been lying about his alcohol tolerance.
“Milord?” A servant asked entering the room. “I’m afraid the snow has gotten thicker. It wouldn’t be safe for your guest to leave for a while.”
Janus looked at the woman as if she had two heads before he shook his own, “Well find out when it’s good! Ro- Roman can’t live here! He has precious tiny brothers to take care of!”
“Of-of course sir," she mumbled before leaving.
“You like my other brothers as well?” Roman asked.
Janus gave an easy nod as he tossed back another drink. “They’re adorab- adorab...” his eyebrows knit in concentration.
“Adorable?”
“Yes! That!”
The man pouring the drinks gave a frown, “Once again I will suggest you stop drinking for the evening my lord.”
Janus didn’t even acknowledge the man had spoken. “Next question!”
“What things do you love about Virgil?”
“Have you not seen Virgil? Have you not seen his face? It’s so- so cute . And have you seen him blush? My heart stops. I’d die happy!” He gave a large smile as he downed yet another drink. “Oh and when he laughs!” Janus gave a laugh to himself and leaned back in his seat. It was then other words left his mouth but Roman honestly couldn’t discern what they were.
“I’m cutting you both off,” the servant announced suddenly.
“We’re- we’re just having a good time Matthew!”
The man gave a frown, “I’m not Matthew.”
Janus’ eyebrows knit yet again as he focused on the man's face, “Wha? Sorry, you brothers look alike.”
“You know I was adopted, sir.”
“Still.”
Roman couldn’t help but crack a smile as he surrendered his glass. “Tell me about your past relationships, Janus. Why didn’t they work?”
“I couldn’t tell who wanted me for me and who wanted me for what I have. That and ap- apparently I drive people off who don’t want things I have with my winning personality.”
“You didn’t drive Virgil off.”
“I know! It’s crazy right?” He asked with a large smile. “He’s just so perfect. His eyes are so pretty I could stare at them for ages... and I love just putting mymfingers in his hair. I wannaz steal him forever. Nearly did too! I asked him to just jeelope with me once, he said if he didn’t promise the younger two they could be in the wedding he would.” Janus paused and closed his eyes in thought for a moment before his face scrunched up. “I’m not suppose tell Roman that though.”
“I’ll keep your secret,” Roman promised, holding back a laugh. But in Janus’ current state he didn’t seem to notice. The servant still in the room did though, the man didn’t say anything but Roman could feel a harsh gaze on him.
“Is there anything you dislike about Virgil?”
Janus’ eyes didn’t open as he answered the question. “No! But he needs more confidant!”
“Confidant?”
“Yeah! Boost that esteem!”
“Oh, confidence.”
“That’s whatah said.”
“Of course it is,” Roman chuckled. “Hm I think I’m running out of questions.”
“Then can I ask?”
“Feel free.”
“It’s been awhiles since I started courtin. I wanna give Virgil a nice proposal! Buts si dunno what do.”
Roman paused, He had begun this conversation with all intentions of trying to scrape the makeup off of Janus’ face to find out what he was hiding. He wanted to find something- anything which showed Janus’ true colors and expressed that he wasn’t who he presented himself to be. And yet here the lord was drunk as can be, and yet his only thoughts were to ramble about Virgil and wonder how he could give Virgil a special proposal. It- it didn’t make sense.
The Janus Ekans Roman knew had been a boy playing a man. One who held a whip like tongue which would lash any that dared come near. He had been someone which used people then tossed them aside for pleasure. That’s who Janus Ekans was through and through. Or- or maybe that’s who he presented... and the Janus Virgil knew- the one sitting before Roman right now- was the true one.
A sigh escaped Roman’s lips as he finally focused back in on his host, only to find the man... asleep. Roman rolled his eyes but he couldn’t stop the slight smile on his face, the true Janus was a bit of an idiot wasn’t he?
“Do you have paper and a pen?” Roman asked Not-Matthew. “I’ll leave soon as I can, so give him the note when he wakes up.”
~~~~
The soft knock at his door along with the calling of his name, drew Roman’s attention away from the papers Father had asked him to look at and quite frankly he was grateful for the distraction.
“Come in!”
Just in case Roman made himself look busy as he heard the tell-tale sound of Virgil’s walk. “You're not busy are you?” His brother asked, poking his head through the door.
“I can spare time for you, what is it?”
“I... I was wondering how your talk with J- with Lord Ekans went,” Virgil confessed as he moved to sit across from Roman.
“Don’t worry about it,” Roman waved off. “We buried the hatchet.”
“Truly?”
“You don’t believe me?”
“Not at all.”
Roman rolled his eyes, “It’s been a few days since then, why are you suddenly interested?”
“I’ve been interested this whole time. I just didn’t want to ask, but today Father got a letter from him asking for the family’s appearance at a party he’s having. I wanted to make sure you’re okay with going.”
“You care that much about my opinion? Have the stars aligned? Has Hell frozen over?”
Virgil gave a huff as he rose, “I’m going back to my room.”
“This is going to be so much fun!” Patton cheered.
“It will be, as long as you all follow the rules,” Logan said pointedly. “Master Patton, do not eat anything unless you are given permission to. Master Remus you are to stick by your brother’s sides. Master Roman do not start any fights with the lord, he must be treated with respect.”
Roman rolled his eyes, but didn’t reply as Logan turned to Master Virgil, “Tell me the moment you feel unwell. And sir?”
Father gave a slight smile of confusion, “I have rules as well?”
“Yes.Your rule to follow is to heavily encourage your sons to follow these rules.”
“Well I believe I can handle that much.”
“Good. Now does everyone understand?”
“Yes Logan,” they chorused in return as they reached the gates of the Ekans property. From here Roman could see a number of carriages which had already arrived, and people flooding into what would undoubtedly be a party to remember.
Parties truthfully where Roman shined. Signing documents and running the company bored him night and day to the point he had once told Father that he would quit and plan parties and other large events. Kind as he was, Father had agreed to support Roman if that was what he wished- but then Roman had recalled the amount of work he had to do when Virgil was too sick to leave his bed and work himself. And he quickly realized doing what he pleased would only increase Father’s workload further. So he couldn’t live that dream just yet, but perhaps soon enough he could. Maybe when the younger two got a bit older.
The main ballroom was full of people milling about and swaying slightly to music as they spoke. But easily enough they found their way to his lordship’s side.
“Lord Ekans,” Logan said with a bow. “May a present to you Thomas Sanders and his sons.”
Roman gave a bow in time with the rest as Janus stepped forward and greeted each in the customary way, as if he wasn’t close with the family already. But Roman didn’t miss the smile on Virgil’s face as Janus pressed a kiss to the back of his hand. With that they moved on to mingle but Roman caught Janus’ eye as he left, and he watched as the man gave a slight nod.
This party was different from others Roman had attended. For starters while he was enjoying his time with his friends, he couldn’t keep his mind focused on them. Rather his thoughts kept drifting back to his brother. Virgil was talking to people- laughing with them and genuinely enjoying himself. It was almost strange to see his brother who had for so long dreaded any outing from their home openly engaging with other people. It was strange, but Roman was grateful for the change. The crowd about them seemed to think the same.
“Sanders’ second born is here. He’s been out more often lately.”
“The cripple boy is actually smiling. I wasn’t sure he could do that.”
“It must be due to his courtship. He’s being courted by Lord Ekans is he not?
Such a change from the words of pity in the past, Roman gave a slight frown at the thought, that was yet another point to Janus wasn’t it?
Because he was focusing on lives other than his own, Roman knew when Janus walked Virgil out of the room, so he was quick to grab his brothers and sneak after them.
“Where are we going?” Remus asked him.
“We’re following Virgil, keep quiet.”
“But why?”
“Because if not he’ll know we’re following.”
“But why are we following them?” Patton asked.
“To see something important,” Roman answered, pulling on his coat as Logan helped the youngest with his.
Once coats were on, they followed at a distance, just beyond earshot so Roman could properly explain to the younger two what role they held. But as Janus and Virgil entered the garden, Roman took his brothers to crouch behind a low hedge (or well he crouched nearly laid on the ground, as the bush seemed to be child sized) and peeked over the top. Thankfully from this angle they could see the garden path where Virgil was stretching out his leg on a bench while Janus stood in front of him looking up at something the rest of them couldn’t see.
“This is the same bench isn't it?” Virgil asked suddenly. “On the day we met when you saved me from some girl and walked me here?”
“It is,” Janus confirmed, moving closer to Virgil and draping a cloak around his shoulders. “It may be colder now, but I figured we could come and relive it. And... and because I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all. I... The first time we sat on this bench was to avoid the negative whispers, and yet you managed to stay strong the entire time. Now we sit here to take a break from the people who want to take away the time I spend with you. They’re quite fickle.”
“They are but I don't mind. And, it's thanks to you that they changed their minds.”
“No, I didn’t do anything. It’s more that they were forced to realize that there was more to you than what they saw.”
“Like there’s more to you than the tongue that makes other suitors cry?”
Janus gave a slight laugh, “In my defense they know well that I’m courting you, they shouldn’t interfere.”
“Yes yes love,” Virgil replied, but Roman could hear the smile in his voice.” But what did you want to talk about?”
“How wonderful you are.”
Despite only seeing the back of his head, Roman could picture Virgil’s embarrassed grimace, “How about the actual subject of this conversation?”
“That is the subject of the conversation. I brought you out here so I could appropriately gush over how much I love you. Because you are amazing Virgil, and these past months with you have been wonderful. I enjoy our time when we’re out on the town or spending time with your brothers, or when we’re just talking alone. I love it all.”
“You know Roman is included in ‘brothers’ right?”
Janus gave a shrug and his gaze flickered up to meet Roman’s before he focused on Virgil again, “He’s... okay . I certainly favor the younger two though.”
As Virgil laughed, Roman gave a huff, he knew it was true but Janus didn’t need to say it. But beside him the two younger boys looked confused yet excited to hear Janus enjoyed playing with them.
“You remember what I told you right?” Roman whispered to them.
He got two enthusiastic nods in return.
“While I am certainly happy to hear all of that,” Virgil started. “And I do love how much you love my family, as it means a lot, but I’m still confused. Is your goal simply to see how red my face can get?”
“No, but it is a pleasant side effect.”
“Janus!”
“Okay, okay. Close your eyes for a moment. I have a surprise for you.”
“A good surprise?”
“I like to think.”
There was a pause as Roman watched Virgil put a hand over his eyes, and when he had Janus gave a wave cueing Roman to nudge the younger two forward. He himself didn’t move but his younger brothers moved quickly and quietly to Janus’ side. They gave a few giggles which must have drawn Virgil’s attention, but Virgil thankfully played along. Roman watched as Janus whispered to the two and then pulled a small box from his pocket. He opened it and placed it in Remus’ mittened hands as Patton marveled at the ring beside him. An idea seemed to come to Patton as he moved to the other side of Janus and took a knee and Remus chose to follow suit. Janus looked surprised, but he only gave them both a smile as he took a step towards Virgil.
“You can open them.”
When Virgil lowered his hand, Roman couldn’t see what kind of expression he was making, but Virgil gave a slight laugh of surprise, “You two what are... is that- Janus...?”
Janus gave a chuckle, “I meant every word I said. I love you greatly and I never wish to let you go. I want you by my side for the rest of my life. So Virgil,” the lord continued kneeling himself. “Will you marry me?”
Considering Virgil only gave a slight laugh and moved his hands about it seemed he had forgotten how to speak entirely, but it only made Janus smile wider.
“This is where you say yes!” Patton whispered to him and Roman had to hold back his laughter in response. But now Virgil was nodding quickly.
“Yes,” he said once, then he repeated twice more to ensure his words were heard. That was all it took for Janus to rise and pull his fiance for a tight embrace as the younger ones stood and gave a cheer. Roman couldn’t hear what the couple was whispering about to one another, but it seemed both had forgotten a key part of a proposal. Roman gave a sigh as shook his head and stood to dust himself off. It seemed he couldn’t trust Janus to do things properly after all, but perhaps that’s what he was here for. When no one noticed him moving to stand amongst the group, Roman cleared his throat, gaining their attention. He could now see Virgil’s face, but his clearly eated expression morphed into one of confusion and surprise as he glanced between Roman and Janus, “Roman I-”
Roman didn’t let him finish, “Lord Ekans’ aren’t you forgetting something?” Roman asked, nodding towards Remus.
His wonderful lordship gave an embarrassed swallow as he moved to take the ring from the child and then knelt once more to slide it on his fiance’s finger.
“What are you all doing here?” Virgil asked Roman, but his loving gaze hadn’t left Janus- Roman couldn't help but find it all so sweet that it teetered on sickening. But it was his brother’s day, he would have to bear it for now.
“Well, I have long since accepted that I will never be put before your brothers,” Janus laughed. “But I hold out hope I’ll beat out Roman one day.” His gaze flickered to Roman who did as he promised Father before leaving home and kept his mouth shut. When he did, Janus continued, “It seemed like I would stand a better chance if I got them on my side, right? That and, well I care for your family too. So I guess I-I...” The man of the silver tongue trailed off clearly unsure what to say and as he tried to recover his previous swagger he only seemed to dig himself a deeper hole, but Virgil was amused.
Virgil gave a slight laugh, which only grew and grew until tears were running from his eyes- how long had it been since Roman had seen Virgil laugh like that? He wasn't sure how long it had been since, but as he watched Remus and Patton invade the embrace Janus and Virgil were sharing, Roman had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last time.
Roman smiled despite himself as he took the younger two by the hands and began to lead the way back to the manor. “Don’t take too long lovebirds” Roman called behind him, “I’m sure all the guests are still wondering the reasoning for this party after all.”
The laughter that trailed after him as he walked away told Roman he had made the right decision. At first he had tried everything to stop this relationship in its tracks. He had been so worried that Janus Ekans would hurt Virgil for so long, that he had been ignoring how happy Virgil had become. He no longer shut himself away worried about what others could say, about what they could do, about how he reflected the family. Now Virgil had regained some confidence that Roman hadn’t seen since they were children, and one that Roman had long since given up on trying to bring out of his brother. But Janus Ekans had succeeded where he hadn’t, and Roman knew that was worth more than anything else. Virgil was happy so Roman would finally step back and let his little brother go... or well he would, as long as he still got to be the best man.
~~ The End ~~
Thank you guys so much! (Sorry it took forever to get the final chapter out lol)
