#i'll never make a comic after this again (i say like a liar)

[acekindaneat]

A Wedding. 💍

Based on Lapidist's work on ao3.

^^please give it a read because it's really good but i had to cut out a lot of bits to fit it into 10 pages :0

[feirceangel]

Imagine | Skinwalker pt. 2 (Lost Boys)

Pt. 1

Imagine being a skin-walker and protecting the boys.

Word Count: 1351

~

You were dozing peacefully by the entrance to the boy's sleeping area when they arrived.

Michael, Sam, Edgar, and Allan.

Edgar and Allan enter first, making comments on the newly proclaimed 'Vampire Hotel' with wide eyes. Stakes in their hands, they seem ready for a fight.

In canine form, you observe them, gauging the threat they pose. The two comic shop workers dash up to the bed where Star lies asleep.

"Let's get her!"

Michael stumbles in with Sam, "No! Don't you touch her!"

"Fine, jeez, vampires have rotten tempers," Edgar quips before running to investigate the rest of the cave.

No one notices you.

Michael takes Laddie out of the cave and then comes back for Star.

By this time, you stand to your feet and let out a low growl. The younger boys look at you in fear and curse.

"Hellhound!" Sam shrieks as the Frog brothers grip their weapons tighter.

You growl again. Hellhound? Really? You're not some lowly hellhound, you are so much more.

"Stay back," Michael demands.

Flattening your ears, you bare your teeth in defiance. There's no way you'll take orders from the half-vampire who betrayed his newfound family.

You take a threatening step towards them. Allan throws a stake at you like a javelin but you sidestep it with ease.

They curse.

Internally chuckling, you bark sharply at them, making them squeal in fright.

You've seen these boys around when you walk by their shop on on the boardwalk. They act all tough, but they're just children.

Michael is about to make a move, but before he can, you transform in front of their eyes.

Bones pop and crackle as your body rearranges into the form of a woman.

Flabbergasted, the boys stare at you in shock. The younger three are in more shock, seeing as you are completely naked. This is their first time seeing a naked woman in real life.

"Holy-" Sam yells before Michael slams his hand over his younger brother's eyes. "Hey! Mike!"

You chuckle at Edgar and Allan's heated faces as they try to keep their eyes from wandering. Michael seems to be doing a better job than them and Sam finally wrenches from his brother's grasp.

"Hello," you say in a singsong manner, crossing your arms.

"Werewolf!" Sam exclaims.

You shake your head, "No, not a werewolf. I'm a skin-walker."

They stare at you blankly.

Laughing, you step towards them. They step back as you do so.

"Not very educated on your supernatural species, I see."

"Stay back," Michael demands again.

You roll your eyes, "Mikey, I don't think you're in any position to order me around."

"Last I checked, we have all the weapons," Edgar remarks in his gruff voice.

You sneer, "Those weapons don't work on me, boy."

They share a frightened look.

"I'm feeling generous today," you drawl, "So, I'll make you a deal."

"Deal?" Michael echoes sarcastically.

"Yes. Take Laddie, take Star, but leave my boys alone."

You never liked Star anyways: her priorities were never in line with the coven's and she would pick Michael over them anytime. Laddie was fine, but Star wouldn't leave without him and Laddie would never leave Star.

"We need to kill the head vampire to change back," Michael states.

"Yeah," Sam adds. "I can't live with a blood-sucking brother the rest of my life!"

A sly smile forms on your lips, "Kill the head then."

"You just said we couldn't hurt 'your' boys," Edgar accuses.

"Yes, I did."

They look confused.

Another sharp laugh from your mouth, "You probably think David is the head, don't you? Oh, how misguided you sweet little things are."

Edgar and Allan bristle at being called sweet and little.

"I'll make a pact with you: you leave my boys alone, and I'll tell you who the head vampire is."

"How can we trust you?"

You flash your teeth at the youngest Emerson child, "Look at it this way, I could just kill you all here and now."

His face pales and Michael growls at the threat.

"Make the deal, and you walk out of here. Stay, and the boys get an unexpected feast. By the way, a howl from me will have my boys awake in a second. And, they don't take well to intruders."

"They can't come out here, it's light out," Sam points out.

"I know that, but man do they love a show. Especially the bloody ones," again, you flash them your pearly whites. "You have five seconds. One, two, three-"

"Fine!" Michael yells out.

You smile, "Good."

Walking to the coffee table, you grab some paper and a small knife.

"What's that for?"

"Our pact. It isn't binding unless it's written in blood," you grin at their horrified expressions. "Relax. Just a pinprick of blood from both parties and the deal is done."

You stab your finger and smear the blood on the paper before handing it to Michael. He takes it hesitantly and follows your example.

As he finishes, you smile.

"His name is Max. He owns a video store by the boardwalk. I believe he has grown quite close to your mother."

"Liar!"

You snarl at the insult, fixing a cold stare upon Sam, "I do not lie."

"We tested him and he's normal!"

"He has ways of deceiving people. Trust me," you glance at the cave entrance to see it darkening. "Leave now. And, I don't want to see you around here ever again."

They share a look and depart quickly.

Not even a 'thank you'.

You sigh and settle down on your blanket. You're gonna have a lot of explaining to do when the boys wake up.

~

A low cat call wakes you from the bliss of sleep. You open your eyes to see Paul smirking down at you.

"Heya, babe," he grins.

You grumble, realizing that you forgot to change form before falling asleep.

"I have news for you boys," you say before snatching a shirt from Dwayne's hands. He looks at you with a smile, as if he knew you'd do that. You're always stealing his large, warm shirts.

"Someone," you say, referring to yourself, "Has been busy all day while you were safely tucked away in the darkness of sleep."

"What'd you do?" Marko asks, tilting his head adorably.

David makes his way over so that the boys stand in front of you.

You relay the story back to them, finishing with, "You're welcome for saving your asses."

David doesn't look too pleased, "You snitched on Max?"

His growl would have terrified lesser beings, but it does not affect you, although you feel sad that he is upset.

"It was him or you. Face it, you've never liked him anyways," you reason.

Quick as a flash, he presses his hand around your throat, claws out. The other boys hardly dare to breathe as they observe.

"Da-"

"Quiet!"

You stare down the temperamental vampire, your own rage growing by the minute.

"I protected you, David. They would have killed you. I saw it in their hearts." Your voice is as cold as the stone surrounding you.

He hesitates, his grip relaxing.

"What about Star and Laddie? Why didn't you protect them?!"

"They were weaknesses. Star betrayed you and Laddie would do anything for her. They're not dead: Michael wouldn't let the Frogs or his brother hurt them." You pause, smiling a bit, "We all know they would haven't have made good additions anyways."

With that, David releases you, shoving you back. You are pushed into Paul and Marko's arms as David storms off.

"A simply 'thank you' would be nice!" You call after him. He ignores you.

You shrug, "Well, boys, looks like Dav's in a mood."

Paul laughs, "Yeah."

"Thanks, sweets," Dwayne says, pulling you into his arms and kissing the top of your head.

Marko echoes the sentiment.

~

David doesn't stay mad at you for long. He even apologizes and gives you a gift to make up for it.

The gift being a leather choker with silver spikes all around it. Needless to say, you love it.

[angelsswirl]

Been Through

Chapter 5: You plus me can be dangerous

She said you look crazy. Thank you, baby. I owe it all to you.

"So...."

"What, Lisa?"

"I was just wondering..."

"Please just say it."

"What do you do for your heats?" You were half embarrassed, half....something else. You're surprised she asked and to be honest you were tempted to torture her with the undoubtedly sexy truth. But you decided now wasn't the time to make her suffer.

Besides, you were doing that enough for the both of you. Lisa asking you about your heat had thrust you into a spiral of memories involving Lisa and your heat. And a particular night that several mistakes were made.

"Fuck myself. What do you think I do?" You had changed your mind again. You definitely wanted to tease her with all the details. The look on Lisa's face definitely did not disappoint.

It was comical really. Quite frankly it was your right to mess with her like this. If she wanted to ask intensely personal questions, then she was going to get intensely personal answers. You're not even quite sure what her original angle was, but you're determined to uncover it and hopefully fuck up her thought process.

"Well, I don't know, maybe you're seeing someone." Ohhhhhh! That's what she was getting at.

You almost wanted to laugh. What was going on in your life that could have possibly made her think that you weren't single? Hell, you probably smelled single.

"Maybe."

Lisa only blinked, the sort of mischievous and shy look she had at first slowly morphed into indifferent jealousy. And again. You wanted to laugh.

"It depends. Most of the time I use my fingers or this fancy dildo I found on a website that shant be named."

Lisa gulped. Her leg started to bounce on the linoleum of your kitchen floor. Ha. Serves her right.

"Sometimes, when I'm dripping and aching so bad I can't think straight I go find some alpha on the street. And it's never hard. Either I'm irresistible or alphas just really are that easy."

Lisa's jaw clenched. Her hands wringing themselves restless on the marble countertop.

"But yeah, most of the time I just fuck myself silly." You said as innocently and nonchalantly as you could. You're an asshole, and you're well aware of that fact.

"Y-you think you need any help next time?" Lisa asked without looking you in the eye. Instead she was staring up at the high ceiling.

This just kept getting better and better. For you that is. Probably not for her.

"From you?"

Lisa shrugged her left shoulder in a minute gesture.

"Maybe."

"Hmm. I'll think about it." Yes, you were going to think about it long and hard. You got up from the counter and walked back toward the fridge after checking the time.

It was almost time for you to wake Lily up from her nap, so she could eat lunch.

"Why? So, you can weigh your options between me and Jennie?"

That time you did laugh.

"I haven't talked to Jennie in like a week and half. Congratulations, Ms. Manoban. You might have beat her to the punch on this one." You leaned against the fridge with your arms folded across your chest.

Lisa stood and approached you slowly. Like she was stalking prey or something. When she finally stopped directly in front of you, you became distinctly aware of your height difference. It annoyed you to no end. It always had.

Lisa was only maybe two and a half inches taller than you, but it always felt like an entire foot. And she knew you hated it. It was infuriating. At least Jennie didn't tower over you.

"About time." Your eyes fell to her lips as they formed her words. It doesn't feel like you're moving, you don't think you are until you notice that your lips are as close to hers as they could possibly be without touching. Your heartbeat picked up.

"Mommy! Come here!" You took a harsh step back, and with it, a deep breath to soothe your fast beating heart.

"Duty calls." You said stiffly. It was only then that you realized the hand that had been on your waist a few seconds prior. It had been resting there comfortably if the tingly feeling was anything to go by.

You almost tripped in your haste to get across the room. Your control had almost slipped right through your grasp and that was something you couldn't have.

You paused in the doorway leading to the main hall, "And to think, if you walked a little faster, you could have kissed me."

Lisa didn't say anything.

You were about to go tend to your daughter before something else you had felt during that...exchange...occurred to you, "Oh, and you might want to take a cold shower before you leave. I can only imagine you'd be a bit uncomfortable if you didn't." You let your eyes drift low onto Lisa's body.

Lisa looked down at herself with a confused frown, then groaned loudly. She turned toward the counter to give herself at least some sort of modesty.

You turned back around and set off in search of your daughter.

Yes. Control. That's what this was all about.

~~~

The truth of the matter was that you were confused. And, yes, obviously you were confused. Duh.

You were stuck inbetween someone who didn't seem to want you enough and someone who maybe wanted you a bit too much.

The thought that some people would simply kill to be in your position was astounding at this point.

How could anyone want this?

To have the thought of someone's broken heart swaying back and forth over your head like one of those anvils you see in old cartoons. To make sure your daughter's interest was taken into account. To be happy yourself.

It all seemed too far fetched.

Whoever came up with the phrase "victimless crime" was a pathological liar. There were no victimless crimes. Everyone's a victim in some way.

Love, apparently, was your crime of choice. A horrible choice you had made four years ago.

Love.

The same people who thought that this was a desirable situation to be in were also the people who would say choosing should be easy.

Who do you love the most?

But it wasn't that simple. It was never that simple. Nothing would ever be that simple. Not love for you at least. It's not even really about that! It's about control.

It all leads back to the control.

If you have control you can stay out of trouble. If you have control no one gets hurt. If you have control you won't get your heart broken.

The last time you gave up control? Letting Chaeyoung convince you to talk to Lisa. And the time before that? 4 years prior. That thing that got you pregnant.

So, no. You weren't letting your gaurd down. You weren't losing control.

And maybe that makes you selfish. Or an asshole. Or evil. Whatever. So be it. At least no one will get hurt.

~~~

"Can we talk?"

"How did you find me here? It was Chae, wasn't it? I'm going to stop talking to her. She has a big mouth." You were a bit tipsy, you must admit. But, honestly, you deserved it. You're a single mother in LA who's stuck in a love triangle. The least you could do is get shit-faced once in a while.

"It doesn't matter. I just want- no- need to talk to you."

You looked your companion up and down with a frown. Her hands are shoved in her pockets, and she's looking around the admittedly dingy bar like she much rather be anywhere else but here. Or maybe she's just nervous.

"I thought you were ignoring me."

"I was- I mean I wasn't! It's-I'm sorry. I fucked up."

"It's been three weeks Jennie. Kissing a girl and then ditching her for 21 days doesn't exactly make her want to talk to you again surprisingly enough." You took a strong sip of your Long Island iced tea.

"I know. I really am sorry, Y/N. I, um, I really miss you and I've been doing things backwards and I want to be with you and it took me way too long to sort through my emotions and I really like kissing you and I'm still in-

You hated rambling or at least tipsy you hated rambling so you stopped it the only way you knew how.

With your lips. On Jennie's.

Oh, and don't worry. You're in complete control.

[ygreczed]

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 ??

(...)

《I feel dizzy.》

Kidou opened his eyes and searched Fudou’s for a split second : he was drinking a beer when he had fallen asleep for a fleeting moment on the brunet’s shoulder. He sat up, avoiding the petrol blue stare on him, and thoughtfully glared at the half-empty bottle in his hand.

《How much did you drink ?》The strategist mumbled, licking his lips only to get a reminiscent taste of alcohol.

《Two beers…》

《You’re drunk ?》

《Huh… Yeah, maybe.》Fudou answered, his voice low and throaty.

The room was dark, Haizaki and Kira were sleeping on the floor with a blanket on them, Kazemaru, Shirou and Kiyama were resting on the God Stricker’s bed. The tv was off for hours now, and the other boys were sleeping, but Fudou and Kidou were whispering in the night just like two middle schoolers during a slumber party.

《I’ve never been drunk before.》Kidou let out, fighting sleep and trying not to let his head fall on the brunet’s shoulder again. 《How is it like ?》

《It’s like… hard to stay focused, and hum… to fight back impulsive thoughts.》

《What impulsive thoughts ?》

《I have… mmh something to ask ya.》

Kidou mentally went through the list of questions Fudou was likely to ask : something about soccer, about strategy, about himself ? He nodded without looking back at the brunet, anticipating the words that would come from his mouth.

《Could you sleep here… tonight ?》Fudou gulped and seemed to be searching for the right thing to say. 《'Mean, the others are sleeping here too. And I… hmm, kinda like your scent.》

《You’re definitely drunk.》

Kidou sighed with a smile fortunately hidden by the obscurity. He let his head lean against Fudou’s shoulder again, feeling the number 3 turning his head to bury his nose in his hair.

《You underestimate me...》 the mohawk whispered in a sleepy and gruff voice.《I’ll learn you, you’ll see… I’ll find out what’s on your heart.》

Kidou wanted to protest but the other boy immediately started to snore slightly. Did Fudou know anything ? He frowned as he felt exhaustion invading his senses, and closed his eyes ; in a last thought, he wondered if Fudou would succeedly read through him, and then he fell asleep.

(...)

Kidou wondered how to react when he saw Fudou knocking at his window, showing in a triumphal move the Cherry Bliss bottles he had just bought. He wasn’t exactly in the mood for that, actually. He opened the window, letting the brunet climb inside his room with his singular grin.

《I found some more.》 Fudou said, smirking as he turned toward Kidou to give him two bottles. 《Let’s end what we’ve started the other day. I wanna know what kind of playmaker you are.》

Right now, Kidou was the “I will destroy Ichihoshi”-kind of playmaker, so he didn’t answer. He looked down, and smiled when he realised Fudou was wearing the same belt and the exact same pants as the last time: those straight jeans were fashionably too big for him and would most likely fall on his hips without the belt.

Hm.

It was satisfying enough to forget about the Russian player for a moment. He reached out to grip the belt and pulled Fudou closer.

《I need this.》 he said basically, a shiver running down his spine as Fudou answered with a mischievous smile.

《Sure, Kidou-kun, help yourself.》

Fudou wasn’t going to undo the belt by himself, Kidou knew it. He amusedly raised his eyebrows as he reached for the buckle and started to undo it under Fudou’s thoughtful stare. He finally took the long belt and opened the two bottles the brunet had given him. Fudou smirked and took the offered bottle to clink glasses with the blond boy.

《So, let me guess what’s on your mind.》 the number 3 said with a fruity voice, the bottleneck resting on his lower lip as he talked. 《Ichihoshi ?》

《Why would I be thinking about Ichihoshi ?》 Kidou replied, trying not to sound too irritated.

《Because he’s a little fucker who thinks he can bullshit everyone without getting ass-kicked by the big brother. You are the big brother in case it wasn’t clear enough.》

Fudou seemed to find the situation in Inazuma Japan very funny. He turned his head and walked to Kidou’s bed to drop on it nonchalantly. The number 5 joined him carefully, not sure he wanted to talk about the Russian player now, and sat on the edge of the bed to have a few sips, under the brunet’s burning gaze.

《Hmm, so that’s what was bothering you lately huh ?》 Fudou guessed, and his low, quiet voice made Kidou shiver discreetly. 《Ichihoshi.》

《He’s dangerous.》 The blond boy replied, giving the other player an accusing glance through his tinted glasses. 《And you know that too.》

《He’s sure... Suspect. But please, this shithead isn’t dangerous.》

《You’re underestimating him. I saw… how he works. He’s responsible for Gouenji’s injury.》

《Are you scared he could hurt you as well ?》

Kidou didn’t answer the question, thoughtfully toying with Fudou’s belt : he deliberately avoided his gaze, stroking the leather with the pulp of his thumb, and slightly tilted his head forth when the brunet tried to make eye-contact with him.

《Wait… that’s not about you.》 Fudou seemed to easily read on his face, even though the blond was trying hard not to show anything. The brunet remained silent for a moment, before Kidou gave in to the tentation to look back at him : suddenly, a grin invaded the number 3’s lips and Kidou realised he couldn’t hide anything anymore. 《It’s about the captain, huh ? You fear Ichihoshi because you know he could harm Endou...》

《I don’t fear him.》

《Yeah, sure, hehehe…》

Kidou gripped his beer and drank half the bottle in one-go, while Fudou was sitting cross-legged next to him : in a quick glance, the blond boy realised the number 3’s jeans were showing his black boxers as he was sitting. So Fudou was this kind of boy ? Wearing fashionably oversized jeans as if he liked looking delicate and cheeky at the same time.

《What’s going on ?》 Fudou whispered next to his ear. 《You can tell me. I’m smart enough to understand, and not to tell anyone else.》

《I swore I would protect this team the day I got called to take Inazuma Japan’s uniform… I couldn’t protect Gouenji, and I almost failed in protecting Endou. I won’t let this little fucker make a liar of me again.》

《Endou, Gouenji, and you, huh… I see.》

They were his best friends : the light that brought him back to his senses, his precious teammates. Winning the FFI was their dream for too long, and was the only reason why they agreed in to being separated for the Reinforcement Committee. They were bound to fight the world’s best teams, together, or nothing ever meant anything.

Fudou finished his first bottle with two last sips and leaned toward the former captain of Teikoku to whisper in his ear :

《Try not to lose yourself in the process.》

Kidou catched his glare for a quiet moment, and couldn’t help but gulping when Fudou smiled, his hand touching his shoulder in a flirty manner.

《Endou brought you back in the light, don’t fall into the darkness again for his sake.》

《How can you know this all ?》 Kidou breathed looking at the brunet’s glowy lips.

《I told you I would learn you.》

Something in Fudou was irresistible. This wasn’t a feeling Kidou knew very well ; all of his relationships had always been ‘logical’ until he met Endou and Gouenji, yet he didn’t know anything about this lustful desire driving him at this very moment. Fudou was making him feel like he'd never felt before. It was warm, soft, and also burning, sparkling. Something was linking them, and he couldn’t determine what.

《Will you give the belt back to me ?》 Fudou demanded quietly after a brief silent minute.

《No.》 Kidou admitted with a smoky voice.

《Then give me something… in exchange.》

Fudou’s hand flew to Kidou’s goggles, his thin fingers brushing the central part, just between his eyes.

《I want your eyes.》 He let out in a breath, looking deep into his gaze through the green glass. 《I want to see what’s hiding in them.》

《What do you expect to see ?》 The blond inquired -the air seemed to refuse entering his lungs for no reason.

《Anything you’ll show me, Kidou.》

Kidou gulped silently and reached the back of the goggles with his right hand, putting the left one in front of the glass. In a slow, anxious move, he removed the blue accessory, revealing his closed eyes. He couldn’t believe he was going to do that : his goggles were the last wall separating him from the rest of the world, and he didn’t feel like facing it right now.

《I can’t.》 he finally muttered, his breath quickened while his eyes remained solely closed.

《I was expecting it.》 the number 3 answered in a mocking yet soft voice.

《Why did you ask if you knew I wouldn’t do it ?》

《You tried... this already tells lots about you, you know.》

Kidou wondered if he should put his goggles back to open his eyes again but he suddenly felt a breath near his cheek and froze. A light, brushing kiss fell on the corner of his eye.

《I would be careful if I were you. Ichihoshi is sneaky, and might be smarter than you think.》

Fudou’s lips disappeared from his temple and Kidou waited silently for one full minutes before he decided to open his eyes again. The room was empty and the curtains were floating from the late summer breeze entering by the open window. Kidou looked back at his bed, where Fudou was sitting a moment ago : the Cherry Bliss bottle cap was there, lying on the blanket like a signature.

The blond smiled slightly, and put the golden-and-pink cap in his pocket.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Here is the second part ! I'm in vacations in the mountains and I have almost NO INTERNET... It breaks frequently because of night storms so I'm posting it now it works ahah.

As I said before the fic part is all written, I just have the comic parts to do... but I didn't bring my pc with me so -heh... I'll get back at it when I'll be back home, before going back to school !

(Still tagging some of my kdfd pals : @shawn-and-aiden-frost-9 , @inazumafocus , @funips , @maryseph )

[spicycreativity]

Soft-Shoe Shuffle - Ch 9

Chapter: 9/12 Additional Notes: See Ch 1 for more information. Read on AO3 under "WizardGlick." Any formatting/italics errors are holdovers from AO3 that I was too lazy to fix. Chapter Content Warnings: N/A; ask to tag Excerpt: "You don't think he's in love with you, do you?" Roman asked in a strained tone. Silence. "Do you?" Roman demanded. "Oh my god," Virgil said through gritted teeth. Janus could practically hear his jaw creaking. "Virgil!" Roman whisper-shouted.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it

That's my life and all that I've got

Call me a liar, call me a writer

Believe me or not, believe me or not

The sound of a door open and closing startled Janus out of his dreams so violently that he jerked and gasped before falling still again.

Silence followed, but he kept his eyes closed and tried to orient himself. He felt like Remus had used him as a training dummy and remembered very little of the reason why .

Roman's voice broke the silence. "It's not your shift yet, Smoke on the Water."

"I thought you could use the company," Virgil said. "And maybe I missed you."

"Oh, don't lie." Roman sighed and his breath ghosted over Janus' cheek. He was close, then. "That's his job."

Virgil scoffed. "Not anymore, apparently."

Janus focused on keeping his breathing even. It wouldn't do to get caught now of all times.

"You don't buy it?" Roman asked.

"I don't know!" Virgil exclaimed, loud enough to make Janus flinch. In a softer voice, he continued, "I guess people can change. I mean, I did. But it was gradual, and this seems… It seems awfully sudden for a change of heart, especially for someone as stubborn as him."

"You don't think he's in love with you, do you?" Roman asked in a strained tone.

Silence.

"Do you?" Roman demanded.

"Oh my god," Virgil said through gritted teeth. Janus could practically hear his jaw creaking.

"Virgil!" Roman whisper-shouted.

"Have you noticed Patton calling him 'honey'?" Virgil whispered back.

"Wait… You don't think--"

"I don't know!"

"But Patton wouldn't--" Roman tripped over the end of his sentence. "Not him-- "

"You don't just fall in love overnight. What if this some… some campaign for Patton's love?"

"Like a quest?" Roman asked.

Janus nearly laughed. Leave it to Virgil to land three steps to the left of the correct conclusion. And leave it to Roman to spur him on.

Despite the ache in his joints and desperate dryness of his mouth, Janus could feel his mind sliding back toward sleep. There would be no fighting it unless he moved, and he couldn't move without giving up the game.

Oh, well.

"It makes sense, doesn't it?" Virgil asked. "Janus doesn't apologize. Janus doesn't do anything unless it serves some sort of end."

"And where does collapsing in my room factor into this master plan?"

"I don't know," Virgil said. "Maybe this part was just bad luck." He sighed and pulled the covers higher up Janus' chest. "It's weird seeing him like this?"

"...Asleep?"

"No, genius. Vulnerable. He doesn't show weakness either."

"Ah, Virgil," Roman said delicately, after a moment's silence. "Not that I'm the best at math, mind you, but something isn't adding up."

"What do you mean?"

"According to Logan, Janus knew he was sick when he came to visit me. Nearly fainted in the kitchen, from what he said. If he's so averse to showing weakness, as you say, why wouldn't he just, you know, wait?"

"...Huh."

"And why would he apologize to me in private? If he wanted to look good in front of Patton, surely he would have found some way to confront me in front of Patton. Janus is still a part of Thomas; he likes an audience. "

Virgil let out a short puff of air through his nose and said nothing for a few moments. "Well… Maybe I shouldn't jump to conclusions like that."

"It's good that you want to be careful," Roman said with undisguised fondness in his voice. Janus almost frowned. Roman and Virgil, really?

"I guess I'll have to wait and see. I really want to know why he keeps calling my name. Rem-- Uh. Okay. Remus said he did it a bunch yesterday."

"He's not Voldemort; you can say his name around me."

"I don't want to make you upset, that's all."

Virgil's words spun lazy circles in Janus' mind, and whatever Roman replied was lost in the rolling fog.

He had expected Virgil to be mistrustful of him; he had every right to be. Janus had expected him to make conspiracies out of nothing and it didn't hurt his feelings.

It also didn't make him happy, not at all, that Roman had defended him with nothing to gain from it.

Sleep came languid and slow, and for once not accompanied by tongues of fire.

--

Maybe it was luck or maybe it was Virgil's sense of duty, but the next time Janus opened his eyes, it was Virgil that he saw.

Virgil's eyes widened almost comically and he froze.

For a moment, they just stared at each other. Then Janus regained his wits and said, in a tone like they were coworkers who had just passed each other in the hall, "Good morning, Virgil."

Virgil opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again. "It's afternoon."

"Well. Forgive me for not counting the hours when I was unconscious," Janus said with venom. Because he was scared.

Virgil scowled at him. "Whatever. Glad you're not dead. I'll go get Patton now."

"No, wait." Janus tried to sit up, hating how his arms shook. He brought out another set to assist, as Virgil seemed disinclined to help, or do anything other than just stare at him. "Force of habit."

"Yeah," Virgil said. "I heard you were on an honesty campaign." The disdain in his voice was almost painful. "Let me guess: You're so sorry for how you treated me in the past. You were jealous because I got what you always wanted and you didn't know how to handle it so you lashed out like the snake you are. And then you couldn't apologize because you were trapped in the image you'd created for yourself, only now, now it's falling down around you and you don't even have your precious pride to stand on, and now there's only one thing left to do." Virgil broke off, a little out of breath. "So you come crawling on your belly to me. The last item on your little 'good person' checklist."

Janus shook , and no amount of blankets could melt the ice that crawled down his veins. Virgil's image blurred, cold tears threatening to spill over. And really, what did Janus have left to lose? Hadn't he earned this? At the end of the day, he was the architect of his own demise.

"For what's it's worth, Virgil," he said, his voice so cracked and rasping he barely even recognized it, "I am sorry. I was jealous. And… I tied my own hands. I see that now."

"So you're saying…" Virgil straightened a little. "You were wrong?"

"Yes, Virgil. I was wrong."

Virgil laughed.

He doubled over, shoulders spasming, and laughed until his face turned red and tears ran down his cheeks. "I can't-- I can't believe this…"

"Um, Virgil?" Janus' humiliation gave way to concern as Virgil's breaths became more and more erratic.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear you say," Virgil said. "I had so many ideas for how I was going to throw it back in your stupid, smug snake face." He wiped his eyes even as more tears fell.

Janus just stared at him.

"Here's what's funny," Virgil continued. "Now… Now that it finally happened and I have you right where I want you, I don't want to do it ."

"You--" Janus' heart leapt. "You believe me?"

"I believe you." Virgil looked at him, eyes still shining. "But only because you look so sweet holding that teddy bear."

"What?" Janus looked down and realized with a jolt that he did indeed have a stuffed bear tucked under his arm. It was pale brown with white felt on the paws and ears, and was wearing a little T-shirt with 'get well beary soon!' printed on it. "Patton."

"Patton," Virgil said with a nod.

Janus looked around properly for the first time and he realized that Patton was not the only one who had left a gift.

A magnificent bouquet of white roses dominated his nightstand, nearly overshadowing a smaller bouquet of baby's breath and hydrangeas in a Mason jar. Behind the vases stood a 6-pack of blue Gatorade, and balanced on the lids was a small, handmade book.

Virgil noticed him staring and passed over one of the Gatorades, breaking the seal on the lid so Janus wouldn't have to struggle with it.

"Um, Virgil," Janus said, taking a shaky sip and realizing he wasn't wearing his gloves. He grit his teeth and tried not to mind. "I do understand if you don't want to be around me right away."

Virgil shook his head. "I'm done being mad."

"...Just like that?"

"I…" Virgil bit down hard on his lip. "I'm making the choice to forgive you. And maybe I'm being naïve and maybe you'll sink your fangs into my neck the second my guard is down, but… Well, you know, maybe for once the best-case scenario will happen and we'll all be best friends and Thomas will never have problems again."

Janus smiled. "You've changed, Virgil. A lot."

"Yeah, well." Virgil shrugged. "So have you, I think."

Janus raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Virgil leaned in, his grin wolfish and wide. "You're still holding the teddy bear."

Janus' face burned, but he for once made no effort to hide it. "It was a gift, Virgil, it would be rude to--"

"Stop snuggling it and put it with your other gifts?"

Janus closed his eyes and let his head rest against his headboard. "Yes."

"Airtight argument," Virgil said, but the laughter was gone from his voice. "I should get Logan. And you should finish your Gatorade. You probably feel pretty shitty, huh?"

"No, Virgil, I feel fantastic."

"I'm gonna let that slide because you're half-dead."

"Mm." Janus slid further down, gently aware of the Gatorade bottle tipping in his hand.

"Okay." Virgil grabbed the bottle. "No spilling. I'm gonna leave this here with a straw in it. You'd better drink some."

"Okay," Janus said, though he had no intention of doing so. Exhaustion washed over him, a rising tide promising to drag him under.

"You know, once word gets out that you're… not, like, delirious anymore, everybody's going to come running."

"Then don't tell," Janus mumbled, rolling over and pulling the covers up over his head.

"Are you really going back to sleep? You just woke up!"

"Just readjusting."

"Sure."

Janus sighed and wriggled so just his face was poking out from underneath the covers. "Happy?"

"I just don't think you should go back to sleep without drinking something. And no, one tiny sip of Gatorade doesn't count."

"You want to talk to me." Janus was too tired to properly revel in his information, so he settled for a smirk. It was difficult to do with half his face smushed into the mattress, but he was well-practiced.

"Keep pushing and I'm gonna start reading to you from Remus' book of dirty limericks. He hand-wrote that for you, by the way."

"What?" Janus fought to keep the nervous edge out of his voice.

"He said it was an inside joke."

With a concentrated effort, Janus sent the booklet to the top shelf of his closet. He doubted even Remus was reckless enough to expose Janus'... total lack of romantic feelings for Patton in such a careless manner, but still. Better safe than sorry. "Virgil?"

"Hm?"

"What did you get me? I assume the roses are from Roman and the Gatorade is from Logan."

"And the blue flowers are from Patton also."

"Surely they guilt-tripped you into livening up my deathbed as well?"

"My gift was more... abstract."

"Not smothering me to death with Patton's teddy bear does not count as a gift."

"Oh, no." Virgil smirked. "I told Patton how you really take your coffee."

The uncomfortable feeling of being not only seen, but known made Janus hide his face under the comforter again. "You didn't."

"Oh, I did. He knows all about your whipped cream addiction."

" Virgil."

"You're welcome, honey."

Janus went completely still. Half-formed memories of Roman and Virgil conversing in his room swam around his head and oh. Virgil had guessed it. Part of it, anyway. Janus had thought he'd let it go with the rest of his little conspiracy theory, but… And now he'd just completely missed his chance to bluff. He tried anyway. "If this is your way of calling me sweet--"

"Busted," Virgil interrupted.

"Go back to being scared of me," Janus muttered into the blankets.

"Look," Virgil said, voice deadly serious. "I can't tell you what to do, but I swear to all things dark and stormy, if you break Patton's heart, I'll break you ."

"I don't--" Janus tried. "I-- We're not…" He made an exaggerated, high-pitched coughing sound. "I'm going to tell Logan that you antagonized me while I was trying to sleep."

"Oh, please."

"And Patton and I aren't-- He doesn't-- He doesn't feel that way about me."

"That fever must have evaporated some of your brain cells," Virgil said.

Janus was inclined to agree, although for different reasons-- He couldn't think of a single way to change the subject. He settled for a long, drawn-out hiss.

"Just talk to him, okay?" Virgil said. "Or don't. Actually, don't."

"I don't need your permission to start dating Patton," Janus spat, forgetting himself.

"So you do want to date him."

"...No."

"I believe you."

"I'm going back to sleep now."

"Gatorade first." Virgil drew the covers back and held the bottle up to Janus. There was a straw in it now, a purple bendy straw that poked Janus in the lip. He fixed Virgil with a death glare and was privately relieved to see Virgil shrink back under its intensity. Like a river changing course, the parts of Janus that made him who he was were still there, even if his direction had altered.

That was good enough for him.

But he still wasn't going to let Virgil nurse him like he was some kind of helpless baby animal.

Careful not to drop the teddy bear, Janus sat up and took the bottle from Virgil. He drank half of it before his shaking hands gave up on him.

"Go to sleep," Virgil said, setting the bottle on the nightstand. "I'll tell the others not to crowd you." He turned to leave.

Janus almost let him. "Thank you, Virgil. And…" He'd had quite enough of showing his belly, and yet…. "I really am sorry. For everything."

"I know, Janus. Get some rest."