Archive of Our Own ^beta

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. 

Chapter Text

Janus stirred and rubbed his eyes groggily. It was difficult to tell time down here, but something told him it was roughly morning.

“Hey, Fangs.” Virgil was in the cell with him, curled up a few feet away with pillows and blankets. “Lo said you’re touch starved?”

Janus stiffened slightly. “When did you get here?”

“While you were asleep, obviously. Logan let me in,” Virgil said with a half smile. “You look cold. Can I at least give you a blanket?”

Janus nodded slowly. “Yesss.... pleassse.”

Virgil edged closer and gently draped the blanket over his shoulders. “We move at your pace. It’s alright.”

Janus huddled under the blanket, nuzzling the soft fabric. God it felt good. He looked back over at the anxious side. “Sssit next to me?” he asked, hating how small his voice sounded. 

Virgil nodded and did so, leaving a few inches between them. “You can... uh... lean against me if you want,” he said. 

Warm warm WARM! Janus waited a few minutes to get used to the idea that another person was so close, then hesitantly rested his head on Virgil’s shoulder. “Mm. You’re warm,” he mumbled into the hoodie. 

Virgil laughed softly. “Yeah. I know. Do you want my arm around you or nah?”

Janus nodded, closing his eyes and nestling close once he felt the comforting pressure. A good warm. “I misssed you.”

Virgil was silent for a moment. His body tensed ever-so-slightly, but he didn’t let go. “I’m sorry. I was... scared. And I didn’t know.... I didn’t think it would get this bad. How long have you been like this?”

“Sstopped keeping track,” Janus muttered, pulling the blanket closer. “Better not to know.”

“Jan. You know this isn’t good, right? You’re so fucking skinny, I could count all your bones.”

“Oh really? I hadn’t noticed,” Janus drawled, then hummed thoughtfully. “Can I move to your lap? Floor’s cold.”

Virgil sighed. “Sure, whatever.” He gently helped Janus onto his lap, holding him to make sure he didn’t fall. “You know you can’t stay down here much longer.”

“Mmm. You have a better idea?” Janus curled up on his lap, head on Virgil’s chest, soaking up the warmth. “This issss my room now. The ‘dark side’ commonsss are a messs. Any other room could corrupt me, you know that.”

“At least you’d be in an actual bed!” Virgil scowled, then bit his lip. “Unless.... unless we make this place more habitable?”

Janus hugged the pillow and squinted up at Virgil. “Thiss iss a cell. It’s not ssupposed to be comfortable.”

“Who the fuck cares? You’re hurting, Jan. You need help.”

Janus looked away, watching the chains sway. “It could hurt you if you try. I won’t die. I’ll be fine.”

“Janus, look at me. You’re hurting yourself and it sucks. Let us help you.”

Janus’s tongue flicked out, then he sighed and looked back at Virgil. “If the cell fights back, you stop. Clear?”

Virgil smiled grimly. “Yeah. Clear,” he said. “Roman should be able to make some furniture or whatever.”

“Ssstay with me. Pleassse.” Janus closed his eyes tiredly, clinging loosely to Virgil. 

“I’m here. Just get some rest, alright?”

Janus wanted to protest, but it was so soft and warm.... He found himself dozing off before he could say another word. 

~*~

Janus burrowed into the pile of blankets and pillows. Soft and warm. Exactly what he needed. 

But Virgil was gone. 

He frowned slightly and sat up, wrapping a blanket around himself. “Virgil?” Janus asked softly. But there was no answer. “Virgil!”

He’s gone. He left you again. He still hates you.

Janus shook his head, hugging a pillow tightly. No. He just.... went to get some food. That has to be it.

Footsteps. Roman’s footsteps. 

“Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!” Roman sang, twirling as he approached. 

“Mmm. And what if I prefer to sstay coiled up in my nessst?” Janus countered. 

Roman huffed. “I brought you more food! And some tea. You like tea better than coffee, right?”

Janus nodded slowly. “Did Virgil....?”

“Yes! He told me all about it! We’re going to make this place fit for nobility,” Roman said, beaming. 

Janus shrunk into his nest of pillows. “Nothing too fancy. We don’t want to push our luck,” he replied. 

“Ridiculous! You deserve the best, and I will give it to you!”

Janus groaned. “Roman, pleassse!”

Roman blinked. “Oh... you’re being serious?”

Janus glared at him. “Yessss I am.” He sighed and rubbed his face. “Jussst... baby steps. Ssee how the cell reactsss.”

“Well.... I guess,” Roman grumbled, then created a key and opened the cell door. 

Again, Janus stared at the doorway. It was so easy for them to open it. Why couldn’t he just...? It wouldn’t hurt anyone... Maybe he could...

Roman strode inside, created a small table by the door, and set the food down.

Then he clapped his hands and grinned. “Let’s get started! You’ll need a bed and a chair and a desk and a closet and a fireplace and—“

“Ssstop!” Janus held up his hands, then sighed and shook his head. “Sslow down, Your Highnesss. Remember, keep it ssssimple!”

Roman pouted. “But mon python, you deserve the best!”

“Thiss iss not going to work if you fight me every ssstep of the way,” Janus hissed, glaring up at him. Dammit, he felt so small. 

He clenched his jaw, then carefully gathered his feet under himself and used the wall as support to stand. It hurt. His legs wobbled. His head spun. This was a bad idea. 

Roman rushed over and caught him. “Whoa now! Careful, my frail flower,” he chided, holding him close. 

Janus whined, but clung to him. This was embarrassing. He was Deceit. He was Self-Preservation. It shouldn’t be this hard to stand! “I’m fine,” he spat. 

Roman scooped him up, which certainly didn’t help. “Here now, I’ve got you!”

Janus squeezed his eyes shut, hiding his face in Roman’s sash. Too fast. Too high. He felt Roman tense as the prince realized his error. 

“Oh. Do you want me to put you down?”

“Mmm. Make a bed and put me down on it. A sssimple twin bed. Nothing fancy.”

“How boring!” Roman complained, but with a flourish he did so. “Fine. How’s that?”

Janus took a deep breath and looked at the bed, running his hand across the blanket. It was not too hard, not too soft. Certainly better than the floor and pillow nest. Luckily not too fancy either— light yellow cloth, metal frame with vague snake designs. “Thank you. This is perfect, my prince,” he said, resting his head on the pillow. 

Roman beamed at the praise. “Oh goodie! What next?”

Janus hesitated, looking around the cell that had been his home for.... he didn’t even want to know how long. “I don’t need much, my prince,” he said. 

Roman tapped his foot. “I know! Lights!” He snapped his fingers, making a large iron candelabra appear with half-melted candles, as well as twining fairy lights around some of the chains. 

Janus sighed. “Very pretty, Your Highnesss, but I don’t—“

“Books! You like to read, right? You need a bookshelf!” Roman made a bookshelf appear. “What sort of books? Classics, of course....”

Janus felt a smile tug at his lips. “Forbidden love? With a side of anarchy?”

“Of course, charm snakelet!” Roman beamed, filling the shelves with various books. “What about music?” A record player materialized on top of the bookshelf. 

“My prince, you ssspoil me rotten.” Goodness, when was the last time he had actual entertainment? He reached for Roman’s hand. “Come here, pleassse.”

Roman immediately knelt by the bedside and took Janus’s gloved hand, kissing it lightly. “I’m here, treasure,” he said. 

Janus looked around the cell. It was already so much better.... but yet, the grime from before remained. “My prince?” he asked quietly. 

“Yes charm snakelet?” Roman replied with a dazzling smile. 

Janus blushed faintly. “I.... if you don’t mind.... do you think you could.... help me bathe?” He asked sheepishly. “I know I’m disgusting at the moment but...”

Roman snapped his fingers, making a claw-foot bathtub appear, already filled with steaming water and floral-scented soaps. 

Janus sank into the bed. “Oh thank goodnessssss.....” 

Roman gently helped him to the bath. “You’ll be shining like the sun in no time!”

“Mmmm.... thank you,” Janus murmured, carefully slipping into the warm bath. Clean. He would finally be clean again. 

Roman’s touched was light, as if Janus were made of glass that could break at any second. But the bath was soothing as any massage. Once done, Roman wrapped him in heated towels before helping him change into clean clothes. 

“Thank you, my prince,” Janus murmured, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. 

~*~

Logan visited yet again. “May I take your vitals now?” he asked. 

Janus sighed. “We are imaginary. I don’t know what you think you’ll find,” he muttered. 

“Your metaphysical state reflects that of a human. Well, in your case, half-human and half-reptilian. We cannot die, but we can become ill. If I find an issue that can be remedied, you will recover sooner.” Logan adjusted his tie. 

Janus stared at him for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. “Very well. Do what you must.”

Logan opened the cell door and stepped inside. Janus looked away to avoid staring at the taunting path. He remained still as Logan checked his pulse, his lungs, his reaction times, and anything else that he could. 

“I... have a hypothesis,” Logan said slowly. 

“Do sshare with the classss,” Janus drawled. 

Logan frowned. “There is no class—“

“Figure of speech. Continue, please.”

Logan cleared his throat. “I believe that observing some memories of when Thomas has utilized your function may help expedite your recovery,” he said carefully. 

Janus blinked. “Watching memories of him lying and putting himself first and such?” he clarified. 

“Yes, exactly.” Logan reached into his briefcase and pulled out a small box. “I have one here.”

“Does Patton know?” Janus looked at the box warily. 

Logan adjusted his tie. “No, not yet. I made sure to choose a memory related to his education so it would be less suspicious.”

Janus took a deep breath and held out his hands. “Alright. Let me sssee it,” he said. 

“Please tell me if you feel anything... strange,” Logan said, then placed the box on Janus’s open palm. 

Janus opened the box, trying to ignore how much his hands were shaking. A warm light filled the room and the memory played out before his eyes. 

Thomas, laying in bed, coughing— definitely a fake cough— begging his mother to let him stay home from school. Somehow she believed it. But as soon as the door closed, Thomas bolted to his feet and ran downstairs. He made himself breakfast of frozen waffles piled high with various sweets and put on the tv to watch The Office. A mental health day. Thomas was playing hooky to a day to himself. And apparently catch up on homework, but whatever.

Janus gasped once the memory faded and closed the box, feeling a burst of energy.

“Did it work?” Logan asked. 

“I... think sssso,” Janus said slowly. 

“How do you feel?”

“As if I downed an expresso with a chocolate pastry. A jolt of energy that will likely come crashing down in the not-so-distant future.” Janus tightened his grip on the box. “May I keep it?”

Logan wrote something down, then frowned. “Of course not. I must return the memory to Patton. Please hand it over.”

Janus hissed, recoiling with the box in his arms. “Sssay you losst it!”

“I will not engage in falsehoods if it can be easily avoided. Deceit, give me the memory, please.”

Janus glared at him. “Don’t want to.”

“You are being unreasonable.”

“Don’t care.”

“Deceit—“

Janus bared his fangs. “Get out!”

Logan took a step back. “I am only trying to help you without hurting Thomas or Patton. Surely you understand?”

Janus glared at him, holding the memory close to his chest. His tongue flicked out. “One day,” he said finally. “Let me keep it for one day. Then I will give it back.”

Logan hesitated. “You should not watch it too many times. Thomas might notice and begin obsessing over the memory.”

“Noted.”

Logan bowed his head and left, once again locking the door behind himself. Janus waited until the logical side was gone before rewatching the memory. His strength would return in time. He simply had to be patient. 

Chapter Text

The wind howled outside his tiny barred window, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled.

“That’s a side of myself that I would prefer not to feed into,” Thomas’s voice echoed, over and over again, growing louder with each repetition until it was nearly deafening.

The cell walls shook and moved inwards with an eerie groan, as if to crush him, destroying anything in their path.

The candelabra fell with a clatter, pinning Janus to the floor as the candles set fire to everything in the cell.

He screamed.

Janus woke with a start, falling out of bed. His breathing ragged, his gaze flitted around the room.

The bookshelf and table were knocked over. The cell was smaller. It was definitely smaller. Not by much, but he could tell. But there was no storm, at least, not yet.

The candles. The fire. The light was too much. Janus grabbed the memory box and laboriously dragged himself towards the barred door. If the cell did catch fire, the logical place to be was close to the exit, right?

Janus curled up by the door, pressing his face against the bars. He made it.

Virgil suddenly appeared. “Janus, what the hell happened? Are you okay? I felt... something bad. What—“ He blinked, then crouched by the door, reaching through the bars to put a hand on Janus’s shoulder. His voice softened. “Hey, hey. I’m here. Breathe.”

Janus shuddered, holding onto Virgil’s hand. “Too much light. Too much light for a dark ssside,” he managed. “The cell is mad. Virgil, pleasse.”

Virgil squeezed his hand. “I got it. Deep breaths, Jan.” He snapped his free hand, making a cloud of darkness whirl through the cell, putting out the candles and fairy lights. “There. Better?”

Janus forced himself to relax, then nodded. “Thank you.”

Virgil rubbed gentle circles in his back. “Princey is an idiot. I shoulda been here to help with the whole redecorating thing. Sorry,” he muttered.

“No, no. It’s not your fault.” Janus leaned towards him, trying to ignore the bars getting in the way.

“In for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, out for eight seconds. I’m here. Just breathe,” Virgil said. “I won’t let anything hurt you.”

Janus breathed with Virgil, silent for a few minutes. Eventually he managed to actually relax, feeling much safer with Virgil by his side.

“I don’t want to be alone,” Janus mumbled. “Sstay with me, please?”

Virgil squeezed his hand. “I’ll stay as long as I can,” he said gently. “Do you want me to call Roman down to fix his mess?”

Janus hesitated a moment, then nodded, fixing his posture so he didn’t look quite as pathetic. But he didn’t let go of Virgil’s hand.

Virgil did the rising up gesture with his free hand. “Roman, we need you. Get your ass over here!”

Roman rose up with a huff. “What could you possibly need that would require such a rude summoning?” Then he blinked a few times and frowned. “Hey! What happened to my things?”

“The cell isss mad,” Janus muttered.

“Be nice, Princey. He had a nightmare, and you’re going to fix it,” Virgil said.

“Of course, I’ll make it good as new!”

“No!” Janus hissed. “Get rid of it. Leave only the bare minimum. I warned you not to go too far and you didn’t lissten!”

Roman held up his hands. “Okay, okay! Fine, I’ll do it.” He sighed dramatically. “Some people just can’t appreciate art.” He flicked his wrist, making the fairy lights, bookshelf, and music player disappear. “Better?”

Janus squinted at the cell’s remaining furniture. “Lesss,” he said. “Get rid of the candles and candelabra. Make everything lesss fancy.”

Roman wrinkled his nose. “Are you sure?”

Janus nodded. “Jusst do it.”

“You heard him,” Virgil said.

“I can’t believe you two. But fine, if it’ll make you feel better….” Roman did as they asked.

“Thank you, my prince,” Janus said, taking Roman’s hand and kissing it. “It is greatly appreciated. Even with such a simple design, I feel your touch.”

Luckily that seemed to mollify the prince. The poor man needed all the praise and admiration he could get.

~*~

The days fell into a schedule of sorts, the other sides taking shifts of who would keep Janus company. The cell wouldn’t risk hurting them; as long as Janus wasn’t alone he was safe. At least, that was the theory for the time being, and it hadn’t been proven wrong yet.

Virgil always stayed with him overnight to ward away the nightmares, a bittersweet twist on when Janus used to comfort Virgil when he had nightmares. Roman or Logan would come by with some food and stay a little while, then the other would visit. They took turns stealing memories for him to avoid suspicion, but there was still a risk.

“Go on, spit it out,” Janus said, looking over at Virgil’s hunched form. The anxious side had been fidgeting more so than usual. “Come now.”

Virgil rubbed his face. “I don’t like this,” he grumbled.

“Don’t like what exactly?” Janus tilted his head to the side.

Virgil gestured vaguely. “Fucking everything! You being stuck down here. You being sick. Stealing the memories under Patton’s nose.” He exhaled sharply. “If we just... told him—“

“No.”

“Why not?”

Janus looked away, fiddling with his gloves. “He hatess me.”

Virgil sighed. “I thought he hated me too, but he didn’t. He’s... really nice actually. If you just... give him a chance,” he said quietly.

“No.”

“Janus, please. He’s gonna find out, one way or another. And if he finds out the wrong way, he’s gonna be hurt.”

“I don’t care.”

“He’s part of Thomas, just like you and me,” Virgil said.

“Not like you and me,” Janus hissed. “Patton was never sshoved into the dark! Patton never had to fight to be heard! Thomas lovess Patton. He hatess me.”

Virgil groaned. “I hate that I’m the one to tell you this, but you really just gotta let them get to know you. They’ll warm up to you, just like they did to me. I’m a part of their little fam now.”

Janus frowned. “Roman is different. Logan is ssstill cold and detached, as much as he claims to care. Patton would hate me.”

Virgil sighed, then put a hand lightly on his arm. “Patton would want to help too. Just talk to him, please? I’ll be in the cell with you if you want.”

Janus leaned into the touch. “Mm. Fine. Jussst sso you ssshut up about it,” he muttered.

Virgil chuckled. “Alright. Tomorrow?”

Janus nestled closer. “Tomorrow,” he agreed reluctantly. “I ssstill hate him.”

“Understandable. Get some rest, Jan.”

~*~

Janus woke with Virgil’s arms around him. “Morning, sleepy head,” Virgil said. “You ready?”

“Mm. Tea and memory first?” Janus muttered, not wanting to move.

“Patton’s bringing the memory today. But I have tea and food,” Virgil said quietly.

Janus stiffened. “You didn’t sssay he’d be the one with the memory!” he hissed. “He knowssss?!”

Virgil winced. “He doesn’t know everything. Just... some things. He knows we’ve been visiting you and that memories will help. He doesn’t know how bad it is.”

“Changed my mind. I don’t want to ssssee him,” Janus grumbled.

“Jan, please? You promised.”

“I did not promissse nor ssswear nor give my word in any way.”

Virgil cursed under his breath and pulled away, untangling himself from the blankets. Janus reached for him instinctively, unable to stop a whine from escaping.

“No! Dammit, Deceit! You can’t just do this,” Virgil snapped.

Janus froze. Deceit. “Virgil?” he asked slowly.

“We are all trying to help you. Patton included.” Virgil glared at him. “You said you’d give him a chance. So give him that chance.”

“Maybe I wass lying to get you to drop the ssubject.”

“You’re back-sliding. I know you can be better than this.”

“You sssaid it yourssself. I am Deceit,” Janus spat. “You know me.”

Virgil groaned. “He’s coming, whether you want him to or not. And if you’re going to be a brat about it, I’m leaving now.”

Janus flinched. “Don’t. Pleassse.” He sat up and tried to stand, inwardly cursing his still-weak legs.

“If you fall, I’m not helping you back up,” Virgil warned, then sighed, visibly deflating. “Fine, I won’t leave yet. Just eat something, if you can.”

Janus gripped the bed-frame. “How long do we have?”

“Dunno. Ten to twenty minutes?”

“Help me walk around the cell. I don’t want to eat.”

Virgil frowned. “Jan, you need to eat. You gotta get your strength up.”

“I want to be able to walk to him.” Janus straightened, glaring at him in challenge.

Virgil rubbed his brow. “Fine.” He walked over and offered his arm. “You wanna just hold on?”

Janus nodded and grabbed his arm. “Ready. One step at a time,” he said, then carefully took a step. Then another. His legs wobbled but with Virgil beside him, he didn’t fall. One lap. Two. Three.

“That’s enough. Don’t strain yourself too much,” Virgil said, stopping by the bed.

Janus exhaled slowly and nodded, picking up his tea and taking a few slow sips.

It wasn’t long before Patton arrived.

Janus hissed, whirling to face his adversary— then blinked, confused. This was Patton? This scared young man wearing a hoodie like a cape and carrying a box stuffed with toys?

“H-hi there, kiddo,” Patton said. “Are... are you okay? I’m so so sorry I didn’t come sooner!” His eyes looked surprisingly watery behind his glasses. Morality wasn’t crying, was he? That would be ridiculous.

Janus narrowed his eyes. “Thisss isss your fault! Don’t pretend you don’t know!”

Patton frowned. “But I didn’t know...” He glanced past Janus to Virgil.

“He didn’t,” Virgil said. “Dee, c’mon. He didn’t know what he was doing.”

Janus bared his fangs. “I don’t like you, Morality. You sssay lying isss wrong. Lying isss part of who I am.”

“Well, lying is wrong, but that doesn’t mean you’re evil. You don’t deserve this!”

Janus watched him a moment longer. “What’ssss in the box?” he finally asked.

“Oh!” Patton brightened. “I brought some toys to keep you busy and some stuffed animals. And... a memory. Logan said memories help?”

“I’ll take the memory, not the toys. The cell would only ruin them, after all.” Reluctantly, Janus sat back down on the bed. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to experience the memory while standing.

“Oh. Umm okay. Sorry, kiddo.” Patton put down the box, then held out the memory.

Janus snatched the memory out of his hands. “I am not your child,” he said flatly, then exhaled slowly and opened the memory-box.

Thomas was at a party. A rather large party, with drinks involved. Some asshole was bothering a young woman, who Thomas knew in passing. Well enough to tell she was uncomfortable. Thomas approached, lying by pretending to be her boyfriend to get the creep to back off. It worked, and Thomas quickly apologized to her.

Janus closed the box, feeling the soft flow of energy the memory provided. Much better.

“Did it work?” Patton asked, wringing his hands.

Janus nodded, passing the memory back. He thought for a moment, glancing between them. Perhaps… “Virgil, I would like to speak with Patton alone for a moment,” Janus said.

Virgil raised an eyebrow. “You both okay with that?” When they both nodded, Virgil shrugged. “Alright, whatever. Play nice.” He left, taking his time.

Once he was gone, Janus turned to the moral side. “Do you really want to know what it was like?”

Patton blinked. “I... I don’t know what you’re talking about, kiddo.”

Janus smiled sideways. “You want to understand, yess? What better way to do that than to live in my shoesss?”

“I... I dunno....”

“Oh it won’t be long, don’t worry your little head about it. All you need to do is sssstay in the cell. And let me out.” Janus watched his reaction. “You sssaid you never wanted me ssstuck here, correct?”

Patton fiddled with his sleeves. “I... I guess so.”

Janus grinned and copied Patton’s appearance. “Wonderful!”

He took a deep breath and walked to the door. The door. The door which was open. No one was stopping him.

He turned before crossing the threshold. “Thank you, Morality,” he said, then slipped outside, locking the cell door. Patton would probably be able to sink out himself, if he thought of it. Which meant he might not have much time.

Janus was halfway down the hall when he felt the thrill of a summons. An actual summons! Thomas was finally ready for him.