janus used to disguise himself as virgil. before he left the “dark”. it wasn’t often, he could usually just tell virgil what he needed to say to thomas. but he would every once in a while, as practice for the more difficult impersonations. virgil and janus knew each other, one might even call them friends, so the impressions came easier.
the last time janus wore virgil’s skin, it was right before he was accepted. a few days at most. janus did it as a last-ditch effort, a way to show virgil that he treats him better than the “light sides” ever could.
janus appeared in a puffy hoodie and dark eyeshadow, and gave his best performance that he’s never stopped regretting.
he acted like virgil at his worst, mean and jaded, insulting the sides and thomas plainly, venom in every word. creating dangers out of thin air, ignoring any attempts to redirect, feeding insecurities that even virgil didn’t know about. janus knew it all, and wielded the knowledge like a finely tuned weapon. he knew how cruel virgil could be, it was time the others really saw it.
it went as expected. the sides distrusted virgil even more now, they hated him. hated what he could be if left unchecked. thomas took a mental health day.
janus sinks down to see virgil, beaming with pride. the impersonation was spot on. now virgil could see that janus is the only one who can handle virgil at his most tumultuous.
virgil is hyperventilating on the floor. how could janus see him in such a horrible way? and show it to the others?? he’d worked so hard to be listened to, and now what? back to square one?
they hated virgil. and they were right to. he was so awful that his best friend could put on a sickening production, masquerading as everything he hates about himself, and be believed.
it was a rough few days.
virgil’s never said it directly, but janus knows his stunt was one of the last straws for virgil’s decision to “duck out”.
janus never disguised himself as virgil again.
