#prey!janus

[pumpkin-padparadscha]

[aliensubstance-xxx]

Sanders Sides x GN!Reader HC (& some General ones)

ahhh forgive me if this is a bit clunky! I don't usually do stuff like this but I need to get it out of my brain hah

What they're like kissing you:

Logan is by far the best kisser of the bunch! He starts off a little robotic or unsure, but after a while he starts to experiment, figuring out what you like most and getting good at it.

Prepare to be completely breathless and kiss-drunk and for him to just stand up properly, readjust his tie and go about his day. He's got a schedule to keep, after all.

Patton is a very silly kisser, he likes to press kisses to any and all bare skin (and covered!) he can reach, and will grab hold of you and just smother you in kisses :)

Be wary if he goes anywhere near ticklish spots- he will blow raspberries there

Roman is so dramatic when he kisses you- it's all big gestures, like dipping you or picking you up and pinning you to the wall etc. He kisses you so deeply you could swear you hear a musical crescendo in the distance.

Unless he's feeling more mellow, in which he'll still kiss you deeply, but just...quieter and softer, tipping you up by the chin and just breathing in your space.

Virgil is, obviously, quite a nervous kisser. He'll never settle his hands- he wants to have them all over you at once, on your hips, on your shoulders, clutching your hands to his chest, in your hair, anywhere. He gets flustered quickly too, he'll kiss you deeply and then bury his face in your shoulder (You can feel the heat of his blush even through you clothes) until he can kiss you again.

Oh, and he's a biter. Don't be shocked if you manage to spend some time making out with him and you end up in teeth marks and hickeys (and sore lips)

Remus is...sloppy is probably the best way to describe it. He's passionate and enthusiastic, so much so that your kisses will be all teeth, tongue and spit.

He will also lick you. sorry.

Janus is actually quite the reserved kisser- he's a little embarrassed about his snake mouth when it comes to kissing (He'll never say it out loud.). He does want you to enjoy kissing him as much as possible, so maybe after some snake themed compliments he'll take off his gloves and pull you in by the hips.

Catch him by surprise with chaste kisses as much as you can- he'll make a pleased little rattle/hiss (like a purr?) out of surprise. It's very cute.

General HCs:

Small TW for, minor angst & mention on injury, innuendo and reference to genital piercings on the last one.

Despite being identical, they all actually have very small differences! That being said (and totally making sense)

Logan has the biggest hands- noticeably. Man's hands could wrap around your entire being with ease. ahem sorry. Moving on.

Roman is slightly more muscular (still chubby though. good lord), and has one or two scars he got while in the Imagination and decided to keep!

Janus, obviously, has his scales and his eye. His scales go cross his shoulders, elbows, hips and knees- he's also got a little forked tongue and a glottis under said tongue. (The glottis is what snakes have a the back of their throat- it helps them breathe while swallowing large prey...and in Janus' case-)

Virgil has two tattoos- a ring of thorns around his right finger (Right ring finger for individuality, thorns for hardship and struggle) and an earthworm on his left forearm (Rebirth, especially to do with the life cycle. and he thinks it looks cool. He wanted to get a spider but he didn't want to frighten Patton.)

Patton gets a little cut right under his heart whenever Thomas is genuinely heartbroken- he has a little collection of scars there.

Other than their lobe piercings, Virgil, Janus and Remus all have other piercings!

Virgil has an industrial on his left, his secondaries, and two conches on his right ear.

Janus originally had snake bites (when Thomas was a teen. Janus wasn't always as refined as he is now) and one helix piercing.

Remus' has however many piercings he wants on any given day- he takes them out every night and re-pierces however he sees fit every morning. (This includes his frenum piercing. On his willy. look it up but be warned for penis.)

That's all for now! If you liked my stuff and want to request something (minific, or more hcs) feel free to shoot me an ask :) hope you enjoyed.

[loganslowdown4]

Since I can never get anything out on time whoops 😅

Here’s my thoughts about—

What Makes A Perfect Gift? 🎁❤️ (Part 1)

—————————————————

(Thomas may have said this was just a fun Easter egg but imma ignore that bc I believe) Janus knew the order the gifts were being opened because he matched each colour gift wrap of Patton’s gift to which side was getting a gift next 👀👀 AND his beautiful cursive was in GOLD font 🥹

In case you forgot, they are EVERYTHING to me 😭💙❤️

Also Logan asking for Roman’s help with his creativity is the Christmas miracle I didn’t know I needed but here it is and I’m going to go melt into a puddle 😭🫠💙❤️

Logan with his Santa hat on his head with his glasses on

Matching his sweater that has a Santa hat on a brain with glasses on-

😄 I see what he did there 👀👀💙💙🧠

Logan thinking he got a gift he didn’t want because he thinks they don’t listen to him-

Remus: 🧡👀

Janus reminding us all that snakes unhinge their jaws to eat their prey by swallowing them whole

Oh

Oh no 😅

Mr Fuzzy reminds me of the Yorp aliens from Commander Keen for some reason lmao ewww

More in part 2!

[intrulogical]

remus isn't dumb; a sanders sides essay

i've been struggling to make a cohesive post about this because i feel like most of what i want to say boils down to the same underlying message which is: remus isn't dumb.

i feel like a good chunk of this fandom understands what i mean, at least to a surface level point. but even then, i think too much of the fandom still misinterprets remus' character in a way that, they seem to understand different traits of his, but the way they execute it is still way off from what we see in canon.

(rest of the essay under the cut!)

for example, the biggest thing i see people get wrong would be the way they write remus "lol random" personality. it's true that remus tends to say whatever he wants at any given moment. but, the problem here is that people tend to think remus as random in function. i have no better way to describe this succinctly, so to expound: while remus tends to make left-field jokes a lot, he is shown to be incredibly deliberate, cunning, committed, and intelligent in very subtle ways.

truth is, remus is very goal-oriented, and when he has a goal, oh he strives for that goal. so far, i'm writing this with the last 5 years episode being the most recent substantial episode, so i can't really 100% say all my assumptions of remus are true. actually, i think the upcoming season finale will be the missing link when it comes to providing us with the whole picture of who remus is.

as for now, i just have to stick with my theory of; remus, as a side of thomas' heavily connected to insecurities and mental health issues, intends to shed light on the "darker" sides of thomas because he believes them to be beneficial. throughout dwit, we see remus continuously bolster the idea that his contributions are useful for thomas. this continues in wtit, but with the extra layer of remus wanting logan as well to be in touch with the darker parts of himself to get thomas in line.

it is also heavily implied that remus is well in on whatever janus' plan is to get thomas to be a.) more aware of his mental health issues, and b.) to get thomas to break out of his catholic black and white thinking. in forbidden fruit, it's janus who’s seen permitting remus to present himself to thomas. bigger evidence though, as i've mentioned in the previous paragraph, is the way remus seems to deliberately want logan to manifest his anger against thomas.

of course, we can always say that remus taunted logan "just for fun", but i feel like too much of what happened in wtit seem to point to remus having deeper reasons. for example, wtit exhibits how bad thomas' mental health is to the point that he gets irrationally angry at nico for not replying to his texts. this proves how thomas has been neglecting his mental health, and with the way patton, virgil, and roman held onto toxic selfless ideologies for the longest time, thomas would still, naturally, be lost on what to do. he would even seem to deny how bad things have gotten, especially with the way he acts like nothing bad is happening when he goes to his date with nico.

why am i emphasizing this? well, it's because something i find interesting about remus' character is how deeply cognizant he is of thomas' problems. what i mean by this is, no other side can call out thomas' issues more than remus can. i wrote an essay about this before if you want to check this out, but tldr: remus, as intrusive thoughts, is the most perceptive out of all the sides when it comes to calling out insecurities or problems. we see this come to fruition in wtit when all of the traps he laid out for thomas involved nico in some capacity.

while you can interpret his character as evil for preying on others’ insecurities, i think it's important to acknowledge that, in a sea of people who tend to refuse to talk about their issues, remus is the main guy who constantly brings them to the table. whether remus' intentions are good or not, there's no denying that remus' importance as a side lies in the fact that he serves as a mental health alarm clock for thomas. with the way none of the sides want to communicate with each other, we need someone like remus to cut the bullshit and say things as it is. 

again, we don't really know if he wants to help thomas. but i would like to emphasize that, yes, remus is not dumb. he does not merely make lewd jokes and calls it a day. he has the long-term goal of making everyone talk about more "taboo" topics with each other, and this includes talking about personal grievances the sides tend to suppress or refuse to talk about. lewd jokes are just part of the process.

i think this goal of his is also incredibly visible with the way remus treated logan in wtit. wtit is my favorite sanders sides episode because there's just so much to analyze between remus and logan, but you can check my other essays in regards to that. the main thing i wanted to point out is that what remus says to logan in the end, "woowee logan, now you're speaking my language. but who do you really want to scream that at?", proves he is more deliberate and cunning than he seems.

a lovely bit of analysis my friend orb (@orbmanson7) provided is that remus didn't just pop up in wtit to intervene with thomas' plans. he was there to intervene with logan's. if you've seen my other essays, i've talked about how logan as a side has been dwindling in terms of self-confidence and assertion. this has left a big problem of thomas being more reliant on his emotions, making him ignore the suggestions given by logan that may help with thomas' mental health in the long run. this is not to villainize thomas' mental health crisis, btw. all i want to say is that, remus recognizes how logan's self-restriction is doing no good and deliberately wants to push logan to become more assertive and angry.

that is why he says logan is speaking his language. he wants logan to recognize the merit in the way remus grabs thomas' attention. he wants logan to be like him and cause more havoc. again, we never know how much remus genuinely wants to help thomas, but we know that remus wants everyone to be more exposed to "taboo" things, and this includes logan being more in touch with his angrier side.

besides that, i'd like to mention how, in general, remus tends to be very committed to his goals more than how the fandom typically portrays him? in dwit, remus' main goal was to disturb thomas and the other sides. it's kind of just an introduction to his character. we're not sure if it's part of a bigger plan he and janus devised to get thomas to take care of himself better, but it is a possibility. the only time he gets too random is when logan begins picking apart his arguments. there we see remus only results to super left-field, continuous off-tangent jokes when he's desperate or placed in a lose-lose situation.

another, in wtit, we see how remus understands how to make very long, complicated traps. i think it's a perfect encapsulation of his personality, actually! throughout the episode, we see him make these multilayered traps with a ton of props and preparation just so he can bother thomas with it. it shows that remus is actually less impulsive-oriented as he seems. he even created a schedule he showed to logan detailing everything he wanted to do that day. again, deliberate! he is deliberate and very smart!

other thing i'd like to harken back to is the idea that he's in cahoots with the other dark sides to execute some Big Plan to break thomas out of his black and white thinking. while we don't know how orange acts like yet, we're Very familiar with janus by this point and we can see how long-drawn janus' plan of acceptance is. he's, again, sorry to use the word so many times, very deliberate. i don't even think his plan ends with svs.r, because it does seem like remus is well in on this plan too. in the 5 years video, he also seems to know more than thomas on what else is to come for the future of sanders sides, which implies he has some plans up his sleeve that no one else knows about. like i said, janus has the goal to break thomas out of his black and white thinking. and so far from what we've seen from remus, he also wants the same!

an important factor of remus' character besides his deliberateness is his general need to subvert what "goodness" means. "good and bad are all made up nonsense," he sings in forbidden fruit. throughout dwit he continuously criticizes everything thomas thinks is good or acceptable. in the 5 years video, he argues about how there's no "correct way of sitting". i think this also proves how remus is important as a side because, while not every single one of his beliefs are morally acceptable, he is still able to pick morality apart in a way the other sides are unable to. also, i just think this proves his character as just. generally smart? he's able to pick apart the status quo and moral philosophies, of course he's smart.

just to pick up on a previous point, remus is scarily perceptive. i mentioned this earlier with how remus is able to pick logan apart, but i'd like to add onto it more since i think a lot of people underestimate how crazily perceptive he is. for one, despite not being too close with a bunch of the other sides, he seems to be able to read their insecurities and play them against them really well. we see it in the way he uses virgil's insecurities of being an ex-dark side against him. we see it in the way he picks on patton and thomas' morality crisis against them. we see it in the way roman describes remus as someone being able to show him things he doesn't like about himself. and most importantly, we see it in the way remus constantly reaps the fact that logan isn't listened to to the point that logan snaps. as intrusive thoughts, remus' job is to see what deepest darkest secrets thomas and the sides suppress and use it against them.

at the moment, we don't really know if remus has any weaknesses, although wtit sort of implies that he himself is also quite irritated by the fact that thomas doesn't listen to him. he does a good way of hiding, though, how much of that problem is genuinely affecting him. it makes me think he's also smart in the way he's able to hide his vulnerabilities and true intentions from the other side. he's silly and goofy and lewd and because of that, everyone thinks he's harmless. the sides think he's unserious, and so does the fandom. but deep down, remus really isn't that stupid. 

and LASTLY, when beta reading this essay, orb also mentioned to me about how remus possesses cognitive flexibility in a way roman doesn’t. this isn’t meant to discredit roman of course, but i think it’s important to mention that remus is the side with the least amount of restrictions when it comes to creative liberties. orb mentioned to me how remus is able to connect concepts easily in a way roman doesn’t because remus doesn’t operate under the same self-restrictive mindset. while this obviously would help thomas become more innovative as a creative, i think it’s also important to recognize how much thomas kind of needs it in general. much of the latter half of the series shows thomas dealing with restrictions, especially when it comes to doing good. it would be great benefit for thomas to be able to listen to a side who generally wants to Have a Good Time, and doesn’t abide by rules imposed onto them.

and yes that is my essay on remus 100/10 best character and is not dumb at all. very excited to see him in the finale and i hope y’all’s get your characterizations straight because i need me some good fics 

[chillykitty]

concept art for an amv idea i had

idk if im gonna make it or not, I'm doing art fight so itll be a bit before I do anything like that. it would focus on Patton and it'd switch between canon and an animal fairy tale esc visualization - like Janus preying on Roman since the ego is easily tricked being shown as a snake preying on a wolf

[aylinvail]

Tanna Talk: This Week in the Rogue Trader (Video Game) AO3 fandom (March 24- 30 2024)

"Oh, yes, a dance was never just a dance. It was also a display of the soul. It was love, and war, and didn’t they say that all was fair in love and war ?" - Tapestry of Fate, Ch. 34.

Lots of new plot bunnies this week in the trenches. Anyway, this is user aylinvail reporting to you live over vox caster from the Starseeker Bridge.

Cool new fics

Maybe the fic did something new. Maybe it innovated. Maybe it's an entirely new concept we haven't seen yet. A non-comprehensive list.

Two sides of the same Aquila - An AU where the Warrant of Trade is held by two most incompatible individuals in the Koronus Expanse. A series of pivotal moments of their relationship where they need to learn to share the power, space and an Interrogator in order to make it out alive. BOY THAT IS FRESH @vitanithepure.

Eliminate - A fic about Epitaph and Calcazar telling Heinrix to kill you. Told in 500 brilliant bittersweet words. @pycnolite's masterclass in how to keep it short and sweet.

Omega von Valancius - OMG @pallysuune has finally brought us the first A/B/O RT fic. As an omega, Violet von Valancius wasn't fit to be the Rogue Trader, and everyone around her seemed to know it too. But no one was more vocal about it than her so-called-peer. Can her actions ever earn his respect, or will she forever be lesser in his eyes?

The First Engagement - I know, I know, but listen. Have you seen a Lord Captain Heinrix x Interrogator RT yet? No. Fits here. Anyway, if you wanted to see what Heinrix is like as a jackass who "summers" in Janus, here ya go.

Who updated?

Here are the longfics that updated this week.

Starseeker - Heinrix/RT intrigue rewrite of game events with Kunrad-related canon divergence. And a shoujo romance.

gossamer of starlight - RT/Yrliet. Yrliet watches her elantach's dynasty fall apart in slow motion. Non chronological.

Predator & Prey - RT/Marazhai. Aurelia von Valancius has a secret. Marazhai Aezyrraesh has a craving. They're perfectly matched opposites, so long as as they can overcome their differences.

Theatre of Hearts - RT/Nocturne of Oblivion arranged marriage. And from what I hear, getting really cultural difference-flavor of interesting.

Much ado about the Lord Captain - A Comedy of Terrors - RT/Heinrix. A retelling of Rogue Trader with tons of pining. A forest of pine trees. And smut.

Immortalium - RT/Heinrix. NEW! From @cawyden-gaming. The story follows Venria von Valancius on her journey of coming to terms with her past and present.

Iron Maidens - Multiship. An Iron Widow x Rogue Trader crossover.

Omnissiah Forgive Me - RT/Pasqal. Pasqal Haneumann owes his life to the Lord Captain, Kassard. When he joined the Lord Captain's retinue, Pasqal found he had got more than he had bargained for. For the Lord Captain was enough for Pasqal's faith to be shaken to its core.

My Knight So Daring - An Imperial Knight!Heinrix x noble!RogueTrader arranged marriage AU. And from what I hear, getting really hot.

Into Temptation - RT/Marazhai/Heinrix. Former Ministorum Priest now Rogue Trader Cassius Von Valancius must contend with his heretical desires for Marazhai. Matters become even more complicated as his feelings for Heinrix Van Calox deepen.

Edge of Daybreak Unbroken - RT/Heinrix. Heretic Rogue Trader gets brought back to the start of the game. Time travel shenanigans ensue.

Once we were - RT/Heinrix. A story following the events of the game, in which Imogene von Valancius allied her dynasty with Xavier Calcazar and brought peace and prosperity to the Koronus Expanse. But neither last long, and the line between hero and heretic is always blurred.

Domino Effect - Multi. Betrayal is terrible. It never comes from one's foes. But instead from those closest. It comes from a place of safety. Of love.

Addendums

they go here. for in case there are late night updates. im out of spoons bros.

[an0thergl1tch]

Orange side Headcanons/Theories :

*There is a lot of debate on what animal the orange side will represent however I had a few ideas in my head that I wanted to discuss while I was stuck in a doctor’s office. (Not sure if I’m accidentally stealing these from somewhere)

*Looking at facts, we know that Thomas has said he is hoping on posting parts 1 and 2 of the finale by the end of the year. (As quoted from reddit which is by no means a reliable source.) If by chance this does happen, and the orange side is introduced in either of these parts, then this tells us that the orange side will either be a Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, or a Capricorn. Although it is quite possible that Thomas will wait until the later parts to introduce the character, or even leave the orange side as a cliff hanger in the finale, in which it is uncertain what zodiac sign the side is. However working with this information I have a few ideas

*Lets take a look at the animals the other sides seemingly represent. Patton is represented by the green frog, as seen in selfishness vs selflessness, Janus is represented by a snake, Roman is questionable however lion seems to fit and its come to a consensus he’s probably a lion, Virgil is a spider however has cat like tendencies, and Logan as said by Thomas is some sort of bird of prey. (Don’t quote me on that I swear I heard that somewhere.)

*Looking at these animals, I suspect that the orange side will either be some sort of hoofed land animal or bird of prey. Both Patton and Janus are semi aquatic and seem to be almost siblings traits much like how amphibians and reptiles are similar, and the orange side seems more related to Logan as per Logan’s outburst at the end of working through intrusive thoughts. Its also arguable that Roman and Virgil match up as they both mildly resemble felines.

*Taking some inspiration I have a few ideas as to what the orange side could represent :

*Scorpion theory : If per chance the orange side were a scorpio it could be possible that the character would be loosely inspired by a scorpion. Its been theorized that Logan and the upcoming orange side are either siblings or one in the same so its quite possible Thomas will give them birthdays in the same month. In this case if he were a scorpion he would match up with virgil, who is a fellow arachnid, however would be startling as its clear Virgil’s history with the dark sides are tense, and to have them as counterparts would be quite a twist as Virgil has been known as the side that doesn’t have a side (hogwarts episode). However considering anger and anxiety tend to build off one another they would be quite the theoretical power couple if they were to team up. Scorpions often hunt spiders which would indicate that the orange side has major influence over Virgil, however unlike shown Logan would actually have power over the orange side as scorpions are often the prey of predatory birds. Scorpions often symbolize death and rebirth, and are in some traditions seen as guardians of the underworld. They also symbolize resilience, self defense, and the ability to overcome challenges, which would fit with logans upcoming character arc.

*Ares Ram theory : It has been theorized that due to Ares stereotypes surrounding their natures that the orange side will be an Ares, so its possible that the orange side will resemble the ram. Ares are typically described as having great leadership skills, creativity, and bravery, however struggle either impulsivity and are quite stubborn. Along with this ares have a reputation to run hot, having a hot temper and can sometimes cause outbursts, along with being associated with the god of war (sound familiar?) Viewing the orange side as the ares symbol the ram does have its strengths. It is questionable as to how this animal connects with Logan, however it doesn’t connect with the other sides either. It seems to be its own separate entity, much like Virgil, and would make sense considering how disconnected Logan feels currently from the other sides. The ram symbolizes sacrifice, power, heroism, strength, courage, determination, and leadership. However with the previous traits of an ares this symbolism turns into rampant impulsive dictator with a savior complex, which honestly does fit with how the orange side could be characterized. Plus imagine a tall ass dude appearing with ram horns and hooves out of a blazing building, you would be fucking terrified.

*Goat theory : this builds off the idea that the orange side could be an aries or a capricorn, another horned animal is the goat. I personally enjoy this characterization as goats themselves act like children, and are quite hot headed and impulsive (plus the capricorn symbol is a sea goat.) The goat symbolizes greatness and excellence, and also represent strength, courage, and divinity. However connecting to its divinity the goat sometimes has ties with the occult, which would fit the fiery impression the orange side has made so far. Plus I think GOAT meaning greatest of all time would be kindof funny considering whoever this will be will definitely go on a power trip.

*Bull theory : Another horned animal. Personally I enjoy this one. Bulls symbolize unyielding strength, untamed power, and vitality. In popular culture however, bulls are often characterized as hot headed brutes with steam coming out of their ears (may I being up Logan quoting the seething fire from the clue movie.) Plus imagine him with a septum lmao.

*Crow theory : Going off the fact that Logan is theorized to be a bird of prey, the orange side also being a bird of prey also makes sense. Crows symbolize transformation, intelligence, rebirth, opportunity, however are also associated with death and considered messengers from the other side. They are also associated with impending doom and pestilence, as being related to the plague. (If this dude is wearing a plague doctor mask I WILL freak out.) Along with this crows are known to be troublemakers and quite mischievous and I have a feeling he would play a few tricks on the others.

*Vulture theory : Going also off the fact that Logan is theorized to be a bird of prey, a vulture seems like a good counterpart. Vultures symbolize death, rebirth, judgement, and are often associated with impending doom. Vultures are crafty and resilient, and strike when their prey is down. Although pretty harmless he will attack anyone who gets in his way or anyone who is vulnerable.

[env0writes]

Janus Estuaries Vol. 3, 1.26.24 "Burgeoned-Burgundy Moon"

Quiet beasts of the night Prowlers of the Hunter Moon Garbed in your furs and your blacks and your whites Stripes streaked with scarlet, with crimson blood rites Who sang the songs to name you with such fear Scholared madmen, pursuant of acclaim? Ignorant to the spectered shadow in the mirror Wipe their face, perplexed with trails of blood; How queer Victims of the city’s streets strewn red Pounding, pleading at the doors, party goers echo cheers, jeers Overhead the moon hangs low like the stalker’s head To what dark delights shall these roads lead Blood, through the streets, the streams, like veins Beaten from the heart of the city Badum-badum, daylight’s rise, who remains? Predator-prey, pray with those hands, bloodstains Gentle prowlers, howlers to the moon The street-beast-bloodied city’s yours With toothy maw and snarling grin, crackle and croon This dream has rotted from within - the dreamer waketh soon Beneath the hunter moon who else but hunters hunt For if the beastly-ghastly dream persists Who else but hunters is there to confront? When rash and bloody deeds are done and dripping from their teeth Hunters-Beasts — Exalt. Exeunt!

@env0writes C.Buck   Ko-Fi & Venmo: @Zenv0 Support Your Local Artist!   Photo by @env0

[fandombead]

Returning the Favor

Word count: 2,690 || It's on AO3!

Summary: When you help a fae, you are owed a favor of equal value. And fae do not forget their debts. Patton always just wanted to help, with no strings attached. That isn't how it works and maybe he's grateful for that, in hindsight.

════ ≪ ❈ ≫ ════

Chapter 1: Kind

[Prologue]

Janus’ heart pounded in his skull, a steady reprimand for the situation he’d gotten himself into. How could he have been so stupid? He’d allowed himself to get separated from his attendant, foolishly thinking he could handle an outing on his own. How quickly circumstances had gone awry. 

He pulled for the eighteenth time in vain against the spider web, and only seemed to get more of himself stuck in the sticky cross-strands circling the connectors of the web. It really was just bad luck: the young fae had been distracted trying to hide from a hawk overhead and, of course, the first bush he ducked into had a near-invisible massive spider web. 

He’d flown into it at full speed, and the recoil of it had gotten his limbs tangled in the fine threads. His poor wings had it the worst, as he’d made the mistake of trying to flap on instinct to get free and only pinned them directly into it. He had no leverage to push off of the web and he didn’t particularly want to deal with a pissed-off hungry spider. A shadow fell over him and he had to wonder if his luck truly sucked so much that the bird had actually found him.

“Oh! You’re– You’re not a butterfly.”

Janus blinked and found himself looking up, perplexed and dreading at the young voice…two giant blue eyes on a round freckled face stared down at him, a half-done flower crown carefully clutched in the hand sticking over the bush. Janus’ eyes narrowed. A human was the last thing he needed to get involved.

“Away with you! Leave, I don’t want your involvement.”

“But aren’t you stuck? I can help, I won’t hurt you.” the human replied, walking around the bush and kneeling behind Janus, which was unnerving. 

Janus scowled, trying to keep eyes on the human despite being trapped on his front. He renewed his struggle but all it was doing was making him tired. “I said I do not need it.”

The human sat back with a worried expression, but their big hands made no move to grab Janus. “Okay. I’ll make sure you get out safely, though.”

Janus craned his neck to squint at them unhappily, but they seemed intent on just keeping watch for the spider that was surely around. Janus scowled to himself, humiliated as his pulling and twisting did nothing to improve the situation. No matter how he tugged or tried to rip his arms free, the strands stuck to him. It was all he could do to not get his head stuck too.

He grunted in frustration, silently cursing this human for bearing witness to his vulnerable moment as he was quickly tiring but refused to stop on principle with the large, wide eyes occasionally turning on him with what couldn’t be worry. No, it was likely pity, as he struggled like a mere insect waiting to die as nature intended for small creatures like him: victim of his size and bad luck. He gritted his teeth, refusing to succumb to the hot frustration behind gold eyes.

The human suddenly squealed in alarm as the spider crawled down the web towards its net’s prey. “Careful!! It’s coming! Oooh– please—“

Janus flinched as he saw the massive spider crawl out onto the web. He struggled futilely to get a hand free as panic got to him. “Okay! O-Okay, get me– oof!”

Janus felt a gentle pinch of his sides and felt himself get pulled up. The web tore away easily, though he was still covered in it as he found himself in the human’s loose fist.

The child scampered back from the bush with the fairy cupped in their palm, looking around frantically for where the spider had fallen when he’d torn its web. He shuddered, trying to shove it from his mind after checking around for a long moment. He then looked down at the web-covered fae he’d saved and tried not to think about the web now stuck to his hands as a result.

“Are you okay?”

Janus ignored the question, electing instead to keep swiping at his arms and legs as he hopelessly tried to get the webbing off of him. It wasn’t so much too strong for his pulling as it was sticky, just getting more onto his hands as he knelt trying to get it off of him. 

The human let him stay in his palm as he watched, and Janus did not like being gawked at. If his wings weren’t still covered and weighed down by the webbing, he’d have already tried to take off. But he was rather grounded as he worried how he was going to reach and clean them himself. 

He frowned up at the human after a moment, more wary than upset. He’d accepted help without asking the conditions. It was foolish to let himself. “And what would you ask of me after doing such a priceless favor?” 

He hoped it was just that, a favor. He knew how valuable his kind were to humans in the trade for magic items. He didn’t know if a child would grasp the sort of value he had. Stars, even he didn’t know. Only his mother and caretakers had warned him of such things while venturing out, that humans weren’t to be trusted as they’d take him regardless of his age. He was just an object to them and now he’d gotten himself at the mercy of one. Maybe he should have taken his chances with the spider. If he got back home, his mother would surely never let him leave the kingdom again. 

If he called for help, he wondered if Emile would hear him. Would that only alert the human to more fae for the taking? He didn’t want to drag Emile into this, but he now wanted the teacher here to get him out safely. Emile would be upset if he just allowed himself to be taken for his sake, though. He’d know what to do and say to appease the human.

But while Janus had been spiraling down those thoughts, he hadn’t noticed the human shifting until he felt his stomach drop. 

He looked around in a panic as the human stood, the slightly crushed flower crown hanging in the crook of his arm as he focused on cupping Janus securely. “Um. I ask if you need some water to help get the strings off?” he answered a bit unsurely.

Janus blinked, staring blankly until he remembered the last thing he’d said. 

The fairy made an unamused face, but the human seemed entirely genuine. Janus shifted uneasily but knew that it would help. Still, he wasn’t keen on wracking up more unpayable debts. But how else would he get back to flying? And the longer his large wings were covered in the spider silk, the harder they’d be to clean. 

“Why?” he demanded, eyes narrowed. “So you can take me to the other humans that sent you and sell me??”

The other looked startled. “Wha– no! No, I didn’t even know you weren’t a butterfly,” he defended. “I really thought you were a poor swallowtail that got trapped. H-How else are you gonna get home?”

Janus studied him for a long moment, making the human squirm a little. “…okay.” he sighed, covering his face. “But don’t take me far!”

The other child perked up and nodded quickly, his caramel curls bouncing off his head with each nod. “No problem! There’s a stream right over here.”

The tiny fae grimaced. He already knew that, as it was the very one he’d run into minutes before. Emile was probably losing his mind on the other bank with worry. “Silly mortal. I cannot cross running water, let alone get in it. It is a wretched barrier to my kind.”

Blue-eyes looked perplexed. “How did you cross it in the first place, then? Did you fly really high?”

Janus sighed. “Of course not, that wouldn’t work. I…I rode a turtle swimming across.” he admitted, embarrassed. And admittedly he hadn’t thought it through until he was halfway across. If that turtle had decided to duck under... 

“Oh. You’re stuck over here?” the larger child asked, something like sympathy in his tone that made Janus bristle a little. 

“I just wanted to see what was on this side because I’ve never been, and I can find my own way back! And I’ll be cleaning my own wings, so you can keep your huge human hands to yourself.”

He chose not to acknowledge that he was already in the human’s palm, because then he’d be reminded of the little power he truly had. But maybe he could trick the human into not realizing that. At that, he added, “And I don’t even know your name.”

Even as they talked the human child still had been walking and stopped at the stream. He knelt beside it, looking across curiously before down at his passenger now only in one hand.

The child tilted his head, then opened his mouth eagerly before pausing. “My Ma says I shouldn’t give strangers my name,” he said apologetically and Jan smirked if only to hide his nerves and rolled his eyes. 

“Yeah, I bet she did, then. Still, I should call you something.”

The human thought for a moment, looking at the abandoned wildflower crown to his right. “You can…call me Blue? Like Bluebell— my family calls me that sometimes,” he explained, hoping that would work. 

Janus sensed no lie and he acquiesced. Not hard to see where they’d gotten that.

“What can I call you?” Blue questioned, eagerly leaning forward some. 

The young fae folded his arms and shook his head. “I did not agree to an exchange.” he deflected, and Blue wilted. 

“Oh. I suppose that’s true,” he replied, rubbing his arm awkwardly.

Jan eyed him for a long moment. “You can call me Jay.”

The human’s eyes widened and just as fast he shifted back to beaming. 

“Okay, Jay! Aw, it’s like the bird, right? That’s a little funny,” he giggled. “Blue and Jay. Blue Jay~” 

Jan shook his head at the antics. “Alright, Blue. Tell me what exactly your reasoning was for bringing me here?”

Blue set him down beside him. “I’m gonna help you clean off so you can fly and then I can get you back home across the river,” he explained before grinning. “No strings attached!”

Jay didn’t look particularly pleased. “I already said I did not want you to help with my wings,” he said, the black and yellow wings fluttering anxiously behind him as he tried very hard to not let them close on each other. 

Blue nodded. “Don’t worry, I won’t have to! Trust me, I have an idea.”

Janus eyed the human and then the stream. “I  cannot trust one of the same who have harmed my kind for centuries, no matter how naive. You will be just like them one day.”

“I refuse to be.” Blue insisted, not even wavering at the accusation while reaching into the water with cupped hands. “I can't prove it now but I can help you. If you let me,” he said, gazing over at Jan as he offered the carefully captured water to the fairy. “Just flap your wings in the water and the web should come loose.”

Jan stared up at him as if trying to find the answers written in the tan freckles splattered across Blue’s face. “Why would you just help me for nothing?”

“Because you need it. And I can give it. That’s enough reason to help. You don’t have to do anything but maybe trust me a little bit. It’s just like…like a favor. I don’t need anything back.”

Janus stepped closer, then looked down at the lightly dripping pool of water in Blue’s palms. He wouldn’t be able to fly until his wings dried, but he already couldn’t do that anyway. He wouldn't be any more at the human’s mercy than he was now unless the human planned on getting him sick. The idea was outlandish even to him.

He set his hand gently on Blue’s index finger. “…okay.”

Jay ended up sitting together with Blue for over an hour, after having dipped his wings into the water and to his relief, making them easier to clean. He didn’t like his wings being wet, but it would not damage them. They talked while Janus sunned for a bit, hesitantly at first then more at ease as it became clear Blue was keeping to his word.

The sun was getting lower in the sky and Blue set down the small flower crown he’d been painstakingly weaving out of a bunch of tiny purple wildflowers they’d found nearby. Blue offered it to Janus, who had been watching curiously as the human struggled with large fingers to not crush the plants as he worked. The fairy took it gingerly, then peered up at Blue curiously. 

“You wear it! If you want to. It’s a flower crown.” he explained, and Janus’s eyes widened. How had this human even known?

Janus looked down at it, before carefully setting it on his head and Blue looked delighted. “Aw, purple looks lovely on you!” he giggled happily, and Janus’s wings fluttered unconsciously.

Blue beamed before looking around, then down at his companion again. “Your wings look like they’re all dry, can you fly yet?” 

Janus blinked, looking back at them. He flapped testingly for any extra water weight and was able to get off the ground with no problem. He smiled lightly, nodding. “They’re dry,” he confirmed. “I could get home.”

Blue nodded back and stood, offering Janus his palms. “Let’s get you across, then. We don’t want your family being any more worried.”

Blue took him to a shallow, narrow part of the stream not too far down and carried Jay back across, simple as that. It stunned Jay how easy it really was. 

He looked back at Blue and gave him a bow as he hovered, intrigued by this strange human he would never run into again. Blue waved and did not follow as Jay zipped off to find his distraught mentor for the scolding of a lifetime.

A favor.

Such a simple phrase for something that was so valuable that he could not repay with anything he had to offer. Considering what could have happened had Blue not intervened, it was a life-debt. But that was the point, wasn’t it? Blue had chosen not to bind him to the deed and yet it felt like something he couldn’t be released from so easily, beyond the laws of magic and hospitality and dealings. 

He’d never heard of a human-like that before. And he couldn’t stop thinking about them long after he’d made it safely back home.

He set the flower crown on his intricately carved toadstool table beside his bed. It would stay preserved, as bright as the day it was created, forever. It was a reminder. A fitting symbol of a debt that was not something he could truly even repay, he knew, but that didn’t mean the opportunity would never arise. 

He went to sleep, with many questions and thoughts on the boy who had helped a fae for nothing in return and, not one to accept things for free, wondered if he really would continue to hold those beliefs or grow up to regret having not taken advantage of his finding as a foolish young one. Janus wondered if he himself would, in a swapped scenario. It only made Blue’s actions that much more perplexing. Maybe he could ask Emile. Maybe he would understand it after some years: this level of thoughtless selflessness.

He concluded it just had to be that the boy hadn’t understood what kind of offer he’d had. Janus figured he’d gotten very lucky for that: as the crown prince, he had much to lose being captured by humans. 

But the kind eyes and the easy conversation were hard to consolidate with simple ignorance. He would find out what it really was, someday.

((Thank you for reading!))

[ashs-random-writing]

Mushroom Circles

Chapter Twelve

Ao3

—

When an accidental blood sacrifice leaves him in a strange new world, Roman has to hide

Logan would like to know what has been eating all the fruit

—

Roman, against his moral compass, was actually quite happy at the appearance of another human.

Not that he was happy with the how, the why, or any of that stuff, but… it was nice to finally see another person. It had been a while since he’d been able to properly talk to someone.

His new friend looked like they’d just robbed a hot topic, but who was he to judge based on clothing? To be quite honest, he knew he didn’t look very well presented after (how long had he been there?) a while of being in this realm

When he had been left alone with Janus, he’d not been excited. He knew that Janus hadn’t done any actual life-threatening things in the past few weeks. But he also knew that the main cause of that was the other two faeries watching him often

When he’d heard Logan leave the house, and Janus walked into the room, he’d forced himself not to freeze up. Despite the fact that Janus had not been putting his life in danger for amusement recently, Roman had still been subjected to a few smaller misdeeds since.

Janus liked to mess with him. Liked to poke and prod him and occasionally push him over because apparently it was funny, how much power they held over him, but they only really did it when the other two were out, because they told Janus off for it.

Roman had stopped reacting. He figured his lack of reaction had bored them, considering the way they’d stopped bothering him quicker than usual. Who knew that pretending not to be scared could do such good?

Patton and Logan were nice, but Roman was much more grateful for the way they kept Janus from hurting him. When Janus messed with him, he felt far too much like a mouse that was being toyed with by a cat

Now, it seemed that that cat (that horrible, snakey cat) had brought home another prey to toy with.

Roman spoke quietly to Virgil, who seemed to want to know as much as possible about their situation (Roman couldn’t blame him for that- he’d have loved to have someone to tell him what was going on)

“Yeah, so there’s those two,” he pointed out “that’s Logan, they’re nice, but, uh, a little hard to read,” Virgil nodded beside him.

“And the uh, snake one?” They said, only stuttering a little, clearly still terrified overall

Roman felt for them, and he nodded “That’s Janus. They’re my least favourite, but the other two keep them in check, so, not as bad as they used to be,”

Virgil scooted back slightly, away from the faeries as they looked at the two humans.

Roman kept his demeanour in check; Virgil had much more of a right than him to freak out at this point, and Roman didn’t want to fall apart in front of him. He needed to be reassuring.

“Y-you, uh, you mentioned a third?”

Roman drew his eyes away from the faeries

“Oh, yeah… um, there’s Patton as well. They’re nice, but they can be a little overwhelming. I’m pretty sure that this is Patton’s house, actually..” he mused quietly

He hadn’t really been conscious when he’d been brought here, but it seemed logical that he’d be brought to Patton’s house, since it was the closest to his tunnel.

Virgil stared at him a few seconds “How?”

Roman looked back with a tilted head

“Hm?”

“How are you so calm?”

Roman pursed his lips

“I suppose if you’d really like to know,” he started quietly, bringing his hand to the back of his neck sheepishly “I’m not. I’ve just gotten better at hiding it,”

He still felt his heart racing every time one of the giants looked at him. He still couldn’t stop the mile-a-minute thoughts when he was carefully picked up, as though he was made of extremely fragile glass. Especially not when Janus was involved.

He and Virgil talked for a little while, before the sound of the door alerted them to Patton’s return. Roman watched the two other faeries, look at each other before hurrying towards the door, likely to explain their new find. Roman informed Virgil of everything he could understand from what they were overhearing (it wasn’t much, but still)

Patton had walked in with wide eyes, and thinly veiled excitement and perhaps concern. Roman knew firsthand how overwhelming it could be to be faced with three giants, so he didn’t comment on the way Virgil had frozen up behind him, or the way he could hear Virgil’s breathing speed up ever so slightly

——

Patton hadn’t known what to expect when he’d left Logan and Janus alone for the day. But this was certainly not on the list

He’d only gone to take care of plants for an old friend, he’d never expected for him to come home to the chaos that he did. Logan and Janus had rushed towards the door as he entered; Patton was almost expecting them to tell him about an argument they’d had

But for them to tell him that they’d found yet another tiny person (and that “Janus scared them quite badly when he found them”), and that Logan had found quite a big discovery on what exactly they were, and why Tiny had not shared their name

Patton didn’t have time to read any part of the old-looking book that Logan had shown him, before he was ushered into the kitchen to the table. The new tiny person (or “human”, as Logan had informed him) was even smaller than Tiny, almost hiding behind them with wide eyes as he approached

Patton was careful not to move so suddenly, or not to be too loud. He approached, trying to suppress his natural reaction of seeing something small and cute and trying to scoop it up to hug. He tried to hide his upset for the way they froze up, the way Tiny used to.

They were slightly paler than Tiny, though he wasn’t sure if that was natural or because of fear. He hoped it was natural.

He couldn’t find any words to say. He knew they wouldn’t understand him. After a few minutes of just watching them, letting them realise he wasn’t a threat (it was a bit like when he found a baby bird) and slowly calm down.

Logan carefully led him towards the living room, to where the big, old book was sitting. Logan flipped to a page near the end, and pointed him to a paragraph about names. Control.

Patton swallowed down his deep discomfort at the idea of controlling the little guys. Yeah, they’d have to stick with nicknames for now.

—

@betamash @a-chilly-pepper @da3dm

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

Saw you had writing prompts up and thought I’d send in something that brain conjured up in the early hours of dawn

“What if I want them to kill me? What if I want them to try? What if I want to see them realize that as much as I and others have tried. They…We can’t?’

d’know if this was what you meant by prompts but enjoy a depressed God?

More Than Human

----

At his very core, Janus was human.

One might say he was more than human, being a God, but being more than something doesn’t take away from that something, it just adds onto it.

----

| Ao3 | Next Part |

Warnings: implied/referenced suicide attempts, touch starvation, depression (with a somewhat positive ending)

Pairings: platonic roceit, though could be perceived as romantic if you so wished.

Word count: 1601

Notes: If I had a nickel for every time I wrote a fic with Mortal!Roman and a god!side I'd have two - (gets killed)

I really needed this lmao so tysm for the prompt! I've been really struggling with writing inspiration recently so this was really great!

It's been so long since I posted something new - it feels so good lmao. I left it fairly open ended so I could write more if anyone wanted it <3 just send an ask!! I'm always down for prompts :)

----

Janus was, first and foremost, a God

To be precise, he was the God of deception, trickery. In some communities he was the Guardian of all Evil, in others he was a representation of temptation, sin, all that was wrong with the world. 

At his very core, Janus was human.

One might say he was more than human, being a God, but being more than something doesn’t take away from that something, it just adds onto it.

Janus was still human, deep down, he always would be, no matter how many layers were added - immortality, reality bending powers, worshippers, temples - he couldn’t bury the human parts. Though he tried, he wasn’t indifferent. No matter what he did the harsh words still stung when they tore at him, the hatred many felt towards him sat heavy in his chest, loneliness clawed at him like a starving animal - and he was their prey. As it had been for years. 

He had been naive, a thousand years ago, to become a God. But they’d needed someone to shoulder the burden of the world's evils. They needed someone to shield them from the terrors, they needed someone who could face the lies and treachery and not be torn down by them. He had been foolish then, just a boy who was different, a boy who wanted to help. 

There was no way out, either. Janus had tried his best, he’d begged the universe, he’d searched. He’d tried to cut himself off from the world but that had only made the lonely, empty feeling in his chest worse, he’d tried to end it all, when he had no options left, but that hadn’t worked either. 

You couldn’t kill a God, after all. He wasn’t the only one who tried. 

—-

“You’re not going to defend yourself?” Said the knight, dressed in shining silver armour, a red cloak fastened at the shoulder flowing behind him, a confident expression turning to confusion. The challenger stood before him in his temple, shining sword drawn and pointed at Janus’ chest where he sat on his uncomfortable, stone throne. 

“No,” He answered simply.

“You’ll just… let me kill you?” He said, faltering, the only movement was his fiery red hair in the wind. 

Janus leaned on his elbow and didn’t say anything. The knight lowered his sword just a little. 

“Armies will try - if I fail,” The knight said, widening his arms in a gesture, “More people will come, try to kill you, why just allow it?”

“Maybe I want them to kill me,” Janus said softly, not quite looking at the knight, “What if I want you, them, everyone to try? What if I want to see them realise that as much as I and others have tried. They…We can’t?’”

The knight stared at the God before him, eyes widening as he realised, “You… whyever would you want to die?” 

Once again, Janus said nothing. The knight sheathed his sword and Janus sighed softly. He supposed today wouldn’t be the day. 

With the soft clanking of the knight’s heavy armour, he stepped forward, slowly approaching Janus’ throne as though he was prepared to be attacked. Even if he never went to draw his sword again, Janus could see the fear growing in his eyes with every step as he got closer. Janus didn’t move. 

“Why do you want to die, Janus: God of Deceit, guardian of Evil,” the Knight asked, now standing over him. How interesting, Janus thought, that a mortal would have the courage to do such a thing. Many Gods would have felt that something of the sort was an act of disrespect, possibly even choosing to smite down the mortal who dared to do such a thing, Janus found he didn’t have the energy to care. Instead he just smiled softly - at least this made his life just a little more interesting, even if it did nothing to lessen the emptiness in his chest. 

He sighed, he’s certain the knight would listen if he turned him away, but Janus had yearned for someone to talk to for hundreds of years. This knight would leave soon anyway and Janus would never see him again, what did it matter.

“Tell me your name,” Janus said, the Knight tilted his head and frowned, “Tell me your name, first, and I’ll answer your question.”

After a long, thoughtful pause, the knight sighed, “My name is Roman - Sir Roman Greenheart.”

“A lovely name,” Janus said softly, Roman smiled tentatively, “Now- your question… Why do I want to die? The answer is that living is painful.”

“Oh…” Roman said softly, “I would have thought a God would have an easy life.”

“Easy and painless are not the same,” Janus says softly, “People try to kill me on a monthly basis, Roman, and that’s barely scratching the surface.”

The pair were silent for a moment, before Roman gestured to the floor by Janus’ feet, “May I sit down?” He asked.

“You may,” Janus said. With permission, Roman folded to sit cross legged by Janus’ feet. He wondered silently why Roman’s attitude had changed so abruptly - minutes ago he’d been prepared to attempt to kill him. He wouldn’t ask though, instead simply ignoring him, resting his elbow on the uncomfortable arm of the throne and resting his chin atop his fist. 

Minutes spent in silence later, Roman must have shifted, because Janus felt his shoulder brush against his leg, sending a jolt of warmth through him, strong enough to make his gasp. He hoped Roman wouldn’t notice, but as the knight turned to look at him, he knew he wasn’t so lucky. 

“What was that?” Roman asked, frowning up at him - though the look seemed to be one of concern, Janus couldn’t be certain. 

“I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about,” Janus said, making a point to look forward instead of down at Roman. Unfortunately that left him unprepared for Roman laying his hand atop Janus’ knee. His whole leg jolted as he flinched away in surprise at the way the touch burned. 

“What are you doing to me,” Janus hissed, trying to sound menacing though he was fairly certain his fear and confusion were showing through his facade. 

Roman simply frowned, “How… How long has it been since someone touched you?”

For a moment, Janus couldn’t think of an answer because when he thought about it, Janus couldn’t remember the last time he’d been touched by another person outside of combat. His silence seemed to be enough of an answer for Roman. 

“I didn’t know Gods could be touch starved,” Roman said softly. Janus’ frown deepened. 

“Will you stop being vague and let me in on whatever odd breakthrough you’re having?” He asked, voice tired but still a little snappish, Roman jumped.

“Oh- um…” he sighed, “I believe you might be touch starved.”

“...Meaning?” Janus asked, frowning down at the knight with a raised eyebrow.

“You’ve gone too long without touch,” Roman said, sighing, “So you aren’t used to it - people need touch to be happy.”

“I am not a person.” Janus pointed out, frowning, he wasn’t even sure why Roman was even still here - now he was telling him he had this strange sickness of some kind? Who did he think he was?

“You don’t have to be a human to be a person,” Roman pointed out, voice irritatingly soft.

Janus narrowed his eyes, “Why are you still here?”

“Why haven’t you told me to leave?” Roman challenged, Janus blinked. People didn’t usually stand up to him - well, not after trying and failing to kill him, anyway. They usually ran in fear after that - that’s how it always went.

Roman held his gaze for a long, quiet moment, before Janus sighed.

“I don’t know,” he said. Eventually, Roman’s expression became one of pity, maybe concern. 

“You…” Roman trailed off, fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve, “Do you have anyone to talk to? Other Gods?”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Janus said, tone growing icy. Roman frowned, but seemed to understand as he stood up.

“Well - I must get back to my village duties,” He said with a small smile, confusing Janus greatly - though he tried not to show it. Why on earth was he smiling?

“Good,” Janus said sharply, “Leave me be with your prying questions and annoying presence.”

Chuckling, the knight turned away, though the glint in his eyes certainly worried Janus - if only a little, though he tried immediately to get the sight out of his mind, “I will return here in a week's time - for no reason - perhaps I’ll bring some cookies.”

Janus frowned as he watched him leave. Was this mortal trying to tempt him, a God, to return to his own temple, with the promise of cookies? He said nothing as Roman walked away and continued to sit there once the knight was out of sight over the crest of the hill. Janus thought he shouldn’t come back next week - as the mortal was clearly inviting him to - but he wanted to. He really wanted to and Janus wasn’t one to deny himself what he wants despite having not wanted much other than death for the last few hundred years.

Despite that, and despite his harshness towards Sir Roman, he still wanted to see the strange mortal again.

So for the first time he actually kept track of the passing days and a week later he returned to that temple. For the first time he appeared before a knight without hoping that it would be the last time he did so. 

----

Tags: @full-of-roman-angst-trash @your-local-random-dino @cutebisexualmess @glacierruler @roseianxiety @bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti (if anyone wants to be added, let me know!)

[typically-untypical]

Falling For You

AU: Fantasy

CW: Injury

WC: 1,595

Date: 12/16/2023

"Stay by my side," Janus called to Patton and Roman, completely dropping the titles he should have been using. This was so typical of him, waiting until the moment there were no onlookers and dropping any respect he was supposed to show the two kings. Honestly Roman didn't mind. For the past decade, Janus had been Roman's guard, protecting him whether he was on the ground or in flight. Even before he was a guard, he had been the kid that snuck in to see Roman. They had always been by each other's side, and why Roman was younger, he had naively believed he and Janus were fated to be together. He dreamed of Janus sweeping him off his feet, making a snide remark and whisking him away to the unknown, away to a place where they weren't separated by their class and they could be together without sideways glances.

However, that wasn't the role of a guard, and it certainly wasn't the place for a royal. Roman had the responsibility to carry on his family lineage, to hold his head high and be above reproach when it came to society. That didn't mean he stopped craving Janus' deep voice whispering in his ear. It just meant he got much better at hiding it.

Patton, Roman's husband, wasn't nearly as experienced in the ways of denying his emotions. Patton wore his heart on his sleeve and it was beautiful, but dangerous. He attempted to hide his sadness and pain but it was easy enough to see it, almost as easy to see the blooming curiosity his husband had for their guard. Janus had a way with words, a way of peaking people's interest and twisting them around him. That was how Roman had fallen, so completely enamored with the coiling twists of Janus' tongue that he hadn't realized he was ensnared until it was too late.

"My kings!" Janus' voice was loud, screaming through the wind as he threw himself and his alicorn in front of Patton and Roman. The blast came soon after, rocking Janus back. It felt like a slow spell had been cast as Janus slowly tipped off his mount, empty eyes connecting with Roman's before time sped up and Janus was free falling. 

"No!" Patton shouted just after, pushing himself from the safety of Roman's arms and diving into the sky to grab Janus. The were wrapped together, billowing cloaks in the wind as Patton struggled to grab his wand. 

There wasn't enough time.

 There wasn't enough time! 

Roman grabbed the reins hard, steering towards the two rushing to the ground. 

There wasn't time to think. 

He had to act. 

Matching his descent with theirs he scooped both into his arms, almost missing Patton's hand. They were safe. He was holding them. 

Roman leveled out but there was still a threat. Bolts of magic fired at the three of them while he tried to steer away. His chest was tight, running on pure adrenaline until he landed. 

"Patton get him somewhere safe." Roman jumped off the alicorn, pulling his own wand out of his pocket.

"But Roman, what are you-"

"I've got this handled." Landing might not have been the best strategy. He had less area to maneuver around this way, but he couldn't risk falling. He wasn't going to die here. He wouldn't leave either of them behind. Roman turned to look at Patton, showing him the softest smile he could manage. Was he frightened? Sure. Was he concerned about winning this fight? Possibly. However, nothing would be worse than him losing the two people he loved. For a brief moment Roman entertained the idea of being a gallant hero, of letting his name go down in history for saving Patton and Janus. The two of them would get together and Janus would be taken care of.

No, now wasn't the time for that. He shot Patton another look, and the man swallowed before nodding. He took the reins of the alicorn and flew away into the forest. They would be hard to follow there. Thankfully, the men after them went for the easy prey, flying toward Roman instead of going after Patton and Janus. There were four riders, two with wands and two with swords. His hand itched to reach for his own sword but he had to be strategic about this. The ones with the wands posed the most problems but if the two with the swords got any closer that could change. Roman waved his wand above his head, casting it down and creating a wall of ice between the two groups hoping to buy Patton and Janus more time. He then whistled for Janus' mount who had been aimlessly flying in circles without a rider to guide him. The Alicorns were very intelligent creatures, they knew when it was time to work and when it was time to play. Roman was lucky the bridal hadn't been knocked off as well or he might not have had a mount at all. 

"I'm surprise the four of you managed to knock my guard off his mount." They didn't speak the two with magic shooting at him but Roman was able to dodge with minor injures, shivering at the cold that latched onto his leg. "Your skills pale in comparison." Maybe taunting them wasn't the best idea. It was important he keep their attention. He could see the way they grew angrier with his jabs and the ice wall shattered. Thankfully just in time for Roman to throw himself onto the Alicorn and take to the skies. Patton and Janus were decently far away now. They should be safe. It was time to fight for real. 

He wished he could spare the griffins, the chosen mounts for his pursuers, but it was always dangerous to attempt to take in creatures that had been tamed by the enemy. Roman had to act without mercy. He slung spells at his pursuers, felling those who would try to hurt him, and when his mana was drained, he pulled out his sword, ready to attack with the horn of his alicorn and also with the fury of his own blade. The sun was setting by the time he was able to land. He allowed the alicorn to lead, knowing they were often drawn to others of their species. They walked instead of flying, making their way through the forests that protected the city, stumbling through the dark with only each other. As the last lights of day faded, Roman saw a light, a small campfire off in the distance. 

"Patton you have to let me go!" Janus was shouting, his voice pitched higher then it normally was a sound he only made when consumed by panic. "He could be in danger."

"You don't think I know that?" Patton sounded like he had been crying. "But he didn't want you to get hurt."

"And he also doesn't have many brain cells."

"That's not an appropriate thing to say about your king," Roman said as he walked into the clearing, smiling softly when he saw both of them were alright. Patton was already rushing toward him and Janus was straightening himself out, shoulders back, hands pressing down his guard uniform. It was like watching someone put on a carefully curated mask. Janus had always been good at that, but that only worried Roman more.

As soon as his husband was in his arms, Roman hugged Patton tightly. His eyes never really left Janus who cleared his throat upon realizing the intensity of his king's gaze.

"I am thankful you're alright," he hesitated, voice hanging in the air before Janus bowed, whispering, "your highness." That simply wouldn't do. It was only the three of them and Roman preferred the man who argued and challenged him to one that quietly followed orders. Gently putting his hands on Patton's shoulders, Roman pushed him away, kissing his cheek lightly. He was about to do something they had talked about for a while and outside the confines of the castle and society, Roman was willing to take a risk. He had almost lost Janus today. He wasn't risking this again. Roman marched over, twigs snapping under his feet.

He was face to face with Janus, in a manner of speaking, but the other man was still bowing, head dipped in reverence. That really wouldn't do. Roman lifted up Janus' chin, tilting him toward the sky.

"Come now Roman, I know you won't behead me for such a simple faux pas," he was trying to smile, but there was a hint of doubt in his eyes, a hint of something else. How could Janus doubt him? After so long?

"Will you shut up for once in your life?" He leaned forward, kissing Janus with as much heat as care, pulling the man in closer as he second hand went to explore Janus' body. Roman wanted to touch him as much as he wanted to verify the knight was okay.

When they finally separated for air, Janus was smirking, a look of love sickness in his eyes. "That wasn't an appropriate thing for a king to do," He whispered and Patton giggled, causing Janus to blush just a hint. 

"I don't care, you aren't allowed to leave."

"Can I have a turn?" Patton asked, resting one hand on Roman's arm and the other on Janus'. He had a pout on his lips that barely hide a smile. They would figure this out together, society be damned. Roman wasn't going to lose him.

@tsspromptmonth

[cccc-aus]

an AU of sorts that's been living in my head.

Juno Heart is being hunted in the woods. By who or what, he doesn't know. as he fights to survive, he stumbles across two others- Jupiter Mind and Janus Soul. The three of them team up, cause "safety in numbers", but the woods preys on their fears and insecurities.

I haven't fully fleshed it out yet, but it's based off of an episode of some show I saw while I was in the hospital as a kid lmao.

please tell me janus soul also goes by Hugh lmao

I love myself a good mystery horror story! Hoo boy, these guys are in some pretty deep shit now, huh?

Luckily, the problems among the group are more or less a non-issue from what I’ve heard. After all, I’ve always thought the only way that HMS could conceivably work together for any amount of time would be in mutual hate of a fourth party.

[brandstifter-sys]

Secrets Don't Make Boyfriends

@dukexietyweek 2024 - Day 2 - Swap + Secrets

Word count: 1347 (Ao3)

Rating: T

Characters: Remus, Virgil

Pairing: Dukexiety

Warnings: sex mention, mild horror, Anxiety!Remus, Dark Creativity!Virgil

Remus is anxiety, and he is stressed from everything, but especially an intrusive spider who's hiding something from him. Secrets don't make friends, or boyfriends!

---

It wasn't easy being anxiety. Remus could tell you that much. He hated worrying over the littlest things—like his deceptive brother lying himself into a corner, or Janus torching his own ego with his failed ideas. He didn't have to worry about Logic’s puns, or Morality’s long winded tangents, unless they did something stupid. But there was one person who drove him up a wall with worry—the Magician. 

Remus couldn't even count the number of times that bastard wormed his way into the conversation, how many times he cornered the mustachioed punk and tormented him for fun. Especially since he revealed himself to Thomas. If Remus couldn't tell that he was hiding something, he would have shut that bastard up with his mouth. Several times. 

It had been a stressful day of phone calls and work for Thomas, and Remus was feeling it. He was in the Imagination on Janus' side, taking out his frustrations in the gym Janus made for him after he was accepted. It was good to have a Creativity on his side. There was nothing better than exercise to channel the adrenaline. 

With his music blasting, Remus went to town on his favorite punching bag. He was in the zone, hands taped and slamming into the fabric with precision and force. He was bouncing on his feet, ready to strike anyone who got too close, not that anyone with sense would. They knew not to mess with someone in cargo shorts and chucks with a mean right hook. 

Well, most of them knew not to mess with him. 

As soon as “Five Cellars Below” started playing, a chill ran down Remus' spine. The shadows in the corners of his vision were suddenly darker, seemingly skittering away from him. 

Fan-fucking-tastic

He was on alert. 

Great. He was trying to get the anxious feelings out, not build them up! 

His fists met the bag with even more vigor. If that bastard was really there, he would jumpscare his way into the room. Remus was never ready for that!

BAM

Remus shrieked as a bloody face jumped out at him from the punching bag. He fell on his ass and then his back hit the floor. Of all the bullshit ways to scare him, that was the cheapest shot possible! 

He grumbled to himself and squeezed his eyes shut, just to keep his heart from beating out of his chest. 

“You know, you're pretty cute from this angle,” a cool voice purred. Remus immediately opened his eyes, just to come face to face with a menace. 

Virgil had him pinned down, with one hand running up his shirt. The smug bastard was smirking at him like he just captured the perfect prey. 

“Virgil!” Remus snapped and pushed him back. He got up before Virgil could complain. 

“You have got to stop sneaking up on me! You already gave me extra work to do—do you want me to have a heart attack?!” Remus huffed and dusted off his clothes. At least his Sum 41 shirt was still intact. 

“I like making your heart race,” Virgil said and got up. Remus hated that no matter what he did, Virgil could still look hot as hell. Maybe it was just the fact that he only had an open leather vest and shamelessly tight pants that made him look like a manwhore. 

“Find someone else to torment. Someone who isn't keeping Thomas from doing all the bullshit you keep suggesting!” 

“You know I have to go after the person blocking me left and right, Remus,” Virgil said, with a laugh. 

“It's part of the job description. We both know that,” Remus said and stretched his arms behind his back.

“You’re avoiding me,” Virgil said flatly. 

“Yeah, I don't really need my anxiety going nuts. You're hiding something from me and it's driving me nuts,” Remus grunted and stretched one arm across his chest. 

“If that were it, you would've avoided me before,” Virgil huffed and neared Remus menacingly. Remus swallowed thickly and backed away, at least until a wall got in the way. 

“Virgil—” Remus gawked as Virgil loomed over him. He was so close, so easy to shove aside. Remus couldn't bring himself to do anything. 

“Did those puffballs brainwash you?” Virgil growled and grabbed his jaw, “Or maybe you realized that you hate me just like everyone else.” 

“They didn't do anything, and I don't hate you,” Remus breathed, staring into those sad, tired eyes. For the first time in a long time, he could see how much Virgil was hurting. 

“Then why?” Virgil asked with tears brimming in his eyes. 

“Because you're close with Roman and I had to get away from him,” Remus responded and grabbed Virgil's wrist, “You know he would be happy to get me killed!” 

“He's a mean, lying bastard, but he's all I have. He's the only one who puts up with me anymore,” Virgil snarled before his voice dropped to a whisper, “I miss you.” 

“Virge, let go—” 

“I can't! I can't let you go! I tried to move on, but I still want you! I would be fine with being friends but you don't even want that—” 

“Virgil!” Remus said firmly, “Let go of my face!” 

Virgil stumbled back and freed his jaw. He said too much and Remus would hate him for real! 

Remus reached out and cupped Virgil's cheek. He was more concerned about the intrusive thot’s feelings than scared of his crush. Virgil leaned into the touch and averted his gaze, giving Remus a chance to breathe easy. 

“Virge, you okay?” 

“I know I'm a lot to handle, but I don't want you to hate me too. You're the only one who's ever genuinely nice to me, even if you don't like me,” Virgil grumbled. 

“I don't hate you,” Remus said softly, “If I knew that you felt like this, I would have done something sooner.” 

“Done what?” 

“Something,” Remus jeered and wiggled his mustache. 

“Being vague just gives me more opportunities to ruin things,” Virgil pouted. And then his eye twitched and his eyeshadow got darker. Oopsie! 

Remus giggled and leaned in so that their lips were brushing. His heart was hammering in his chest and he wanted to close the gap. But he would wait for Virgil to finish the job. 

Virgil grabbed his hair and kissed him like Remus would vanish if he didn't. Remus wrapped his arms around Virgil and pulled him closer, kissing back with far more passion than he thought possible. 

“Remus,” Virgil muttered when they pulled apart, “Am I dreaming again?” 

“That never happens,” Remus sighed, “Don't you only have nightmares?” 

“No, sometimes I have wet dreams,” Virgil shrugged, “and sometimes they're vanilla. But they always have you in them.” 

“Are you saying you have a crush on me? That's what you've been hiding for years? That's what was keeping me up at night?” 

“Yeah. I thought it would scare you away,” Virgil admitted shyly, “You get scared easily.”

“Of all the stupid shit,” Remus huffed and tackled him to the floor, “You really thought keeping it a secret wouldn't scare me?” 

“It might scare you less than the truth,” Virgil pouted up at him. 

“If you hate when I'm vague, don't you think I'd hate knowing you're hiding something?” Remus scoffed, “You're making it up to me, you jerkface!” 

“How? It takes forever to get out of these pants,” Virgil jeered and grabbed his butt with both hands. 

Remus barked out a laugh and shook his head. 

“You don't need to do that. You could just spar with me for an hour. Everyday.” 

“What if I just danced with you instead?” Virgil teased and gave his cute little butt a squeeze. 

“I don't think so, Spidey. I know what dancing means and I don't need an hour of that daily!” 

“You're right. It would take more than an hour. Maybe even all night,” Virgil jeered. 

“Take me on a date first, and we'll see,” Remus snickered. And then he kissed that sly spider again before he lost his nerve.

[trashyswitch]

Day 8: Truth

Janus is infodumping about snakes, and both Roman and Virgil are bored. So, Virgil pulls a silly trick on Janus, to make him shut up and laugh at the same time. But that silly trick, as well as everything after, is a secret cover up for something else entirely...

Day 8. I hope you enjoy.

Janus happened to be rambling up a storm towards Roman. And Roman, though he was trying to hide it, was growing visibly bored of Janus’s tangents. Virgil could notice this right away. And honestly, he was getting bored of Janus’s conversation topic too. So, Virgil gently pulled out his pet tarantula and very quietly snuck up to Janus. 

“So the whole myth of snakes asphyxiating their prey through squeezing them, is very much a lie that should be re-educated. Why they don’t have a separate unit on snakes in school is beyond me…because people could learn so much from these interesting creatures of the ground!” Janus explained. 

Roman’s eyes were about to shut for the 57th time that afternoon, when her eyes suddenly fell upon a black blob on top of Janus’s hat. Roman’s eyes adjusted to see the blog clearly, before realizing what it was: 

It was a spider! A big, hairy tarantula! Roman was about to bring it up, but quickly stopped himself when he saw Virgil’s head with a finger over his own mouth, gently ordering him to shush. 

Roman watched as Virgil shook his head menacingly at him, almost to say ‘You mention I’m here, and I will shove your sword down your throat’. Roman quickly focused back on Janus as best he could. Virgil’s scary when he’s making that face…But despite ‘listening’ to Janus’s conversation, Roman would keep sneaking glances at the tarantula…

…Especially when it would start crawling around. 

“The most well-known habitats for snakes are the woodland areas, the forests, and the deserts. Of course, each and every type of snake has scientifically evolved to survive their respective habitats-” 

The tarantula crawled across the hat to the right side, leaning towards the bill of the hat.

“The fact about snakes surviving their head being cut off, is scientifically true. However: the idea that decapitated snakes can keep living up until sundown? That is quite false. You see, the snake’s brain doesn’t require as much oxygen to survive-” 

The snake crawled itself down the right side of the hat, towards the head. 

“They could even actually last a couple hours before experiencing brain death! It’s incredible, really. Though I don’t know how they would eat without a jaw, or know where to go without eyes. That is something I need to look up myself.” 

The spider fell onto Janus’s shoulder. And with pure luck, Janus didn’t even feel it! 

“Spiders don’t have ears to hear music. But they do have the ability to feel vibrations like we can. Scientists have actually discovered that classical music and Indian music, when turned on in front of a snake, can have a calming effect on them.” 

The spider crawled up to his collarbone, and up to the yellow t-shirt Janus was currently wearing. 

“It has also been discovered that snakes- Agh!” Janus brought his hand up to his right shoulder, and slapped it. Roman widened his eyes, covering his mouth. Did Janus just smack at the tarantula?!

But amazingly, Janus actually managed to miss the spider by a single inch! And that spider, terrified by the sudden threat on its life, crawled itself right into Janus’s shirt from its U-neck opening. 

“aaAH! What the-” Janus started patting himself down and lifted up his shirt to get the tarantula out of his shirt. “Get out of thehere!” Janus reacted, showing a slight smile as he started wiggling around. 

Roman widened his eyes and watched curiously as Janus struggled to get the tarantula out. “Oh wow…” Roman mumbled. 

“Stuhupid tarantulahaha-’ Janus let out, hugging his stomach and doubling over without squishing the tarantula. “Vihihirgil! Yohohour tarahantula got ohohohout agahahahain!” Janus yelled, a wobbly, toothy smile filling his face. 

Roman smirked and leaned his chin on his own palm. “What’s wrong, Jay? A little ticklish?” Roman asked. 

Janus squeaked and arched his back, laughing in a way that sounded almost hissy…ya know…like a snake would. “Waitwaitwait PLEHEHEhease!” Janue ordered. “Hohohold ohon-” Janus untucked his shirt and lifted it up. “Gehehet ohohoff mehehehe!” Janus begged, reaching back for the tarantula. 

Virgil appeared from behind Janus. “You realize you’re talking to a tarantula, right?” Virgil reminded him, pointing to his tarantula. “He doesn’t understand you.” Virgil told him. 

“Yohohou!” Janus tippy-tapped his toes as he struggled to handle the ticklish crawling on his back. “Gehehet ihihit ohohohoff!” He reacted, reaching behind his back to try and get the tarantula. 

Virgil smiled and crossed his arms. “Nah. I rather enjoy seeing you laugh like this.” Virgil reacted. “You remember Janus, don’cha?” Virgil teased in a small sing-song voice. 

Janus fell to his stomach and kicked his feet like a little school girl. And located on his back, was a little black, hairy, crawling creature. Virgil scooped up the little tarantula into his hands and put the tarantula onto his shoulder. “There you go, little guy.” Virgil said. Roman walked up and very hesitantly moved his finger closer to the tarantula. “W-Wow…” He mumbled. “He’s your p-p-” 

“Pet?” Virgil clarified. “Yup. My one and only.” he replied. “You wanna hold him?” Virgil asked next. 

Roman widened his eyes and bit his lip. “Uhhh…” He let out some quick breaths. “Uhhhhhhhh- Sure.” He replied awkwardly. 

Virgil looked up at Roman, and tilted his head. “Are you scared? You don’t need to if you’re-” 

Roman placed his hands down in a bowl motion. “Do it anyway. Thomas needs to get over his fear of spiders somehow.” Roman told him. 

Virgil shrugged his shoulders and moved the tarantula towards his fingers. “Slowly?” Virgil asked. 

Roman nodded. “Yeah.” 

Virgil let the tarantula scope out Roman’s hand. It touched the fingers gently with its front left leg, before touching it with its front right leg next. Then…when it felt the coast was clear, the tarantula walked gently onto Roman’s fingers to his palms. “Ohoho bohohoy…” Roman mumbled. 

“You feel okay?” Virgil asked. 

“Y-Yeah…Ihi think…” Roman replied. 

“Okay. Will you be okay if he just stays on your hand for a bit? I have some…business to attend to.” Virgil asked. 

Roman nodded his head. “Sure. Go ahead.” Roman replied, putting on a brave face. “If I can beat the dragon, then I can handle a tarantula.” Roman declared. 

Virgil turned around and walked up to Janus. “Alright, now onto you.” Virgil started skittering his fingers all over the snake boy’s sides and ribs. “You sir, need to admit something to me.” Virgil told him. 

“WAHAIT- NAHAHAhahaha!” Janus laughed, attempting to push him away. 

“Admit you’re a cute dangernoodle.” Virgil told him. “Wahahait WHAHAHAT?! NOHOHOHO!” Janus yelled. “That’s no #1! Meaning, I get to tickle you in one of your top 5 ticklish spots.” Virgil told him. 

“OHGODNOHOHO-! Nohoho fahahair!” Janus yelled. 

“Oho, this is completely fair! My little arthropod has been badly missing his deceitful uncle. And it’s been ages since his last tickle fight.” Virgil told him. “Like- Listen: He said ‘a tarantula can only tickle Virgil so many times before it gets boring!’. His words, not mine.” Virgil explained, smirking. 

“BUHUHUHULLROHOHOAR.” Janus yelled back. 

“Say what you want. But it won’t change how ticklish the scaly side of your back is.” Virgil mentioned before lifting up his shirt and going for the left side of his back. 

“WAHAIT- NAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AAAHAHAhahahahAHAHAHA!” Janus cackled, trying and failing to push Virgil away. 

But this didn’t stop the emo. This only increased that mischievous fire in his eye. “Like, my god. It’s such a shame there’s no cure for sensitive scales.” Virgil reacted. 

“SHUHUHUHUT UHUHUHUHUHUP!” Janus shouted at him.

“Now admit it: you’re a cute dangernoodle.” Virgil ordered. 

“HAHAHA- NOHOHO WAHAHAY!” Janus yelled back. 

Virgil sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself.” He walked himself to Janus’s belly, and stuck his fingers into Janus’s belly button. “Spot number 2.” He muttered out loud. 

Janus screeched almost like a girl, and doubled over in an attempt to get Virgil’s fingers away. “NAHAHAHAHAAA! EEEHEHEHEHEHE- STAHAHAP!” Janus yelled. 

“Admit it then.” Virgil told him. “AHAHADMIT WHAHAT?!” Janus asked. 

“That you’re a cute dangernoodle!” Virgil replied. “God, don’t you ever listen?!” Virgil asked in a joking manner. 

Janus pushed Virgil’s hands away and backed up as best he could. “Stahap-” Janus narrowed his eyes at him. “I am NOT a cute dangernoodle.” Janus admitted. 

Virgil smirked and turned to Roman. “You doing okay, Prince?” Virgil asked. 

Roman was struggling to keep himself calm while the tarantula was very slowly walking itself up his arm. Though, his tarantula had only hiked up half of the lower arm. 

“Oh yeah, my little buddy likes to walk around a bit. Here.” Virgil scooped up the tarantula from Roman’s arm and used his conjuring abilities to send his tarantula back to his cage. “There.” He smiled. “Now since Janus doesn’t seem to understand the word ‘truth’, wanna help me?” Virgil asked. 

Roman looked at Janus for a moment, who desperately shook his head ‘no’. But Roman only took this as a chance to agree. “Sure!” He replied eagerly. 

Virgil smiled. “Alright. Janus? You have one more chance to admit it. If you don’t comply, then we will resort to tickling 2 of your worst spots.” Virgil explained to him. 

Janus widened his eyes and looked at both the boys with intense nervousness. “But-” He shook his head and growled. “Why?! Why would you want me to admit something like that?!” He asked. 

Virgil looked at Roman, while Roman looked at Janus with a smile. “Because it’s the truth.” he admitted. 

Janus widened his eyes and looked at both sides. “W-Wait…” He narrowed his eyes.  “Is this a confession?” Janus asked. 

Roman giggled and scratched the back of his head as his face heated up. “Y-Yeah…It is.” he replied. “I…I like you, Janus.” 

“O-OH!” Janus reacted, looking at Roman. “I-” He wasn’t sure what to say. “Wow…” was all he could really say in response. 

Roman looked to his right, to where Virgil was. “Virgil-” Roman widened his eyes when his eyes fell on nothing. “V-Virgil?” 

Roman looked around, before his eyes fell on the stairs railing. Virgil was hiding behind it, signaling for Roman to ‘keep going’. Roman smiled and blushed a small bit. He whispered the words ‘thank you’ to Virgil before turning around to turn to Janus. 

“So…Since you gave me the chance to infodump for a while…perhaps you would like to infodump about something?” Janus offered. 

[anxiousgaypanicking]

hear me out:

Naga Janus wrapping up his prey in his coils, hypnotizing them with his eyes and having some fun with his captured prize~

i do love naga stuff i dont write about it often enough

its not his fault prey happened to wander into his space, and nagas are rather territorial! besides, he's been looking for a new toy, and seeing as hes a lot bigger then his captive, he decides theyd make the perfect cocksleeve