Chapter Text
Janus leaned against the wall of his cell, watching the chains sway in the chill breeze, listening to the discordant music as they clanged against each other. He rubbed his arms, trying to ignore how skeletal they were. He couldn’t remember the last time he had a full meal, the last time he had been allowed outside the cell.
Footsteps approached.
Janus quickly adjusted his position, crossing one leg over the other, lounging without a care in the world. Don’t show weakness. You are in control. He forced a smile, watching the figure come into view. “Ah, Your Highnesss. How kind of you to come vissit.”
Roman stopped in front of the barred door, fiddling with his sword. “I.... you look awful.”
Janus laughed. “Do I? I haven’t had the luxury of a mirror,” he said dryly.
“Oh. I didn’t mean.... uh... do you want one?” Roman fumbled at his belt, then held out a pocket mirror, slipping it through the bars.
Janus watched as the mirror rolled over to him and landed face-down. It would be so easy to ignore it, to pretend he was still his handsome self. It would be easy to break the mirror and use the shards as a weapon.
But he did neither. Janus picked up the mirror, surprised by how heavy such a small item could be. He took a deep breath and smoothed his expression before daring to look at his reflection.
He was even more gaunt than he feared. His bones were disturbingly clear through his thin flesh. His cheeks were sunken. Dark bags under his eyes marked his lack of sleep. His scales had lost their shine.
He wished he hadn’t looked.
Janus closed the pocket mirror with a click and set it down. “Why are you here, my prince?” He asked, realizing Roman was still standing there.
“I... umm... figured you might want some company?”
Janus arched an eyebrow. “You mean you want company that isn’t one of your goody-two-shoes friends up there.”
Roman scuffed the floor with his polished boots. “They don’t support me like they used to,” he muttered. “It just feels like... whenever I make progress something always sends us back to where we started!”
“Mmm.... they don’t listen to you,” Janus said. “Jussst as they refuse to listen to me and your dear brother.”
“Well... I.... that’s—“ Roman stammered.
Janus straightened, his snake eye gleaming. “It’s the same.”
“I’m... not sure if that’s....” Roman rubbed the back of his neck.
“Oh come now! You and I know I am not a monssster.” Janus tilted his head to the side. “Remind me again why I am locked away down here.”
“You know why.”
Janus clicked his tongue. “Humor me, my prince.”
Roman frowned. “Well.... you... you’re one of the Dark Sides.”
“A term you invented. Try again.”
“Uh.... because.... Thomas thinks that lying is wrong.”
“Mmm... getting closer. Now.... how did I end up stuck down here?” Janus inched closer to the bars. Roman blinked. Clearly that was too far of a jump. Janus sighed. “Thomas’s mind is.... unique, as I’m sure you know. I am in charge of hiding things that Thomas doesn’t want to know or they would hurt him if he did know. But who or what hides me?”
Roman’s brow furrowed. “You did this to yourself?”
Janus laughed harshly. “No, no. I am not nearly so self-sacrificing.” He coughed, taking a moment to get control over himself. “No. The mind palace itsself is doing this to me. Thomas’s sssubconsciouss if you prefer. Something deep within, sentient in a way, but not strong enough to be a side on its own.”
“Oh....”
Janus leaned forward. “Let me go. I can help you, my prince, but not from this cell.”
Roman opened and closed his mouth, looking much like a confused fish washed ashore. “I... You....”
“Come now. The others are no help to you. We both need allies,” Janus said. If he wasn’t so weak, he would have waltzed up to the barred door and grabbed Roman’s collar, pulling him close for a kiss between the bars. But he could barely summon the strength to stand, let alone drag himself across the cell.
Roman lowered his gaze, then suddenly brightened. “Oh right. I brought food!” He shoved a crumpled paper bag between the bars and dropped it.
Janus lunged for the food instinctively, somehow managing to catch it before it hit the disgusting floor. His body screamed in protest— but it was worth it. He opened the bag to find an apple, a mystery sandwich, a water bottle, and a cookie. His mouth watered. “Thank you, my prince,” he said sincerely before digging into the meal.
“I told Pat I was going on an adventure and he insisted on packing something,” Roman said sheepishly. “And I know you don’t get fed enough so.... yeah. You’re welcome. I’ll... uh... let you eat in peace. Farewell!”
He sunk out before Janus could protest. But it was better this way. Janus didn’t want anyone to see him gorge on the blessed meal. Sure, sides technically didn’t need to eat. But he could pretend the food helped. And for a little while, maybe he could believe it.
~*~
Janus awoke to the distinct impression of someone watching him. He frowned and stirred, glancing at the barred door to see Virgil crouched in the shadows. “Here to gloat?” he drawled.
“Not today, no.” Virgil moved closer to the bars. He looked.... worried? Ridiculous. “What the hell happened?”
Janus shrugged. “Thomas said himself of lying— ‘That’s a side of myself I would prefer not to feed into’,” he said, mimicking Thomas’s voice. “For some reason, that was taken literally. So here I am, starving in the dark. Happy?”
“Fuck that.” Virgil pelted a granola bar at him. Then another. Then a bottled protein shake. “There. Eat up.”
Janus flinched and held his hands in front of his face, then blinked when he realized Virgil was throwing food at him. “You... you’re helping me?”
“This doesn’t mean I like you,” Virgil said quickly. “But you need to be strong enough to do your job in case Thomas does need you for whatever reason. So... yeah.” He stuffed his hands in his hoodie pocket.
Janus picked up the granola bars and opened the shake, taking a few careful sips of the almost-too-sweet drink. “How long were you sitting there for?”
Virgil smiled sideways. “Do you really want to know?”
Janus glanced over and decided he didn’t. “What else do you want?”
Virgil shrugged. “I want you to swear on whatever means anything to you that you won’t hurt Thomas or any of the other Sides,” he said.
“I swear I won’t harm anyone intentionally,” Janus said, taking off a glove and holding his hand over his heart.
Virgil exhaled sharply and rubbed his face. “Why should I trust you? How do I know you aren’t just.... lying again?”
“Mmm. You can’t possibly know for sure,” Janus said, fixing his gloves. “But you know as well as I do that repression will only hurt Thomas in the end.”
Virgil was silent for a while, then shook himself and stood. “Just... be careful, alright? I’ll check in to make sure you don’t die or get sick or whatever.” He gestured vaguely as he sunk out.
Janus was alone again. He pulled his knees to his chest and closed his eyes.
~*~
Logan was the next visitor. “Deceit? I have been informed of your condition and thought it may be a good idea to investigate myself.”
Janus lifted his head to look over, then narrowed his eyes upon seeing the first aid kit. “You are not a doctor.”
“Perhaps not. But I have researched medicine extensively.”
Janus bared his fangs. “Don’t even think about coming at me with needles.”
Logan sighed. “I simply wish to monitor your condition to ensure you are not in severe danger.”
“Logic, I am starving. But we are imaginary. You know wounds and illnesses don’t have lasting effects. Besides, you are out there, and I am in here. How do you plan on getting inside the cell, hmm?”
“I have also researched how to pick a lock.” With that, Logan stepped forward and stuck something into the lock, fiddling with it until it popped open.
Janus froze, staring at him. The door was unlocked. The cell was open. He could.... he could....
Logan sat beside him on the cold floor. “Allow me to take your vitals.”
“Wait. Don’t touch me. Pleasse.” Janus recoiled, hating himself for it.
Logan blinked and adjusted his glasses. “Oh. My apologies. You must be touch starved. Unfortunately I am not very experienced with that sort of things. Patton is much—“
“No. I do not want to sssee Patton,” Janus hissed. Morality might not be directly responsible for his imprisonment, but if Thomas didn’t think lying was so bad, he wouldn’t be in this situation. Patton was part of the reason he was stuck down here.
Logan hesitated. “Perhaps Virgil?”
Janus rested his head on his knees. “Fine,” he mumbled.
Janus heard him leave— and lock the door. Of course they didn’t trust him enough to leave the cell open. Why would they? He was Deceit.