Chapter Text
“Oh, come onnn! It’s a harmless prank this time!” Remus crosses his arms, standing in Roman’s room.
“I’ve already proven I can handle being you. What more do you want?” Roman argues.
“Were you even listening? We aren’t switching traits; we’re just acting like each other! Imagine the looks on everyone’s faces when they find out!”
“I can imagine a few.” Roman mumbles. “What about Janus? Won’t he realize it immediately?”
Remus waves him off. “So long as we don’t straight up lie, we don’t have to worry about J-Man. Come on, brother. Pleaaaaase?” He makes puppy eyes… or at least an attempt.
Roman groans. “Fine. One day.”
Remus screeches and claps his hands rapidly. “YES!” He snaps his fingers, and suddenly their looks have switched.
Roman itches at the sudden mustache. “This is gonna be a nightmare.”
…
Nemo sits on Janus’ bed, watching Janus’ bewildered and amused expression as Nemo explains his plan. “So you want to impersonate me and I, you?”
“For one day. For a prank.” Nemo nods.
“Why? What’s the point?”
“Imagine Virgil’s face when he finds out.”
“If he doesn't figure it out first. Besides which, can you even shapeshift? Being Truth, wouldn’t shapeshifting be a deception?” Janus raises a brow. Nemo blinks. “You didn't think of that, did you?”
Nemo shrugs. “I just kinda assumed I could.” He stands and snaps his fingers, now looking like Janus’ mirror image. He looks down at himself and looks back up at Janus.
Janus sighs. “Fine, but I’m not being romantic with Patton.” Janus shapeshifts to Nemo and stumbles forward. “Why are they so heavy?”
Nemo smirks. “Gotta have the muscle to stay in the sky. Good luck if anyone asks you to fly.” He tips his hat and heads for the door. The two get downstairs, everyone seated except for the twins.
Patton goes over to give ‘Nemo’ his morning kiss. Janus dodges him. Patton frowns. “Is something wrong?”
“I would recommend not touching him,” Nemo says and takes a seat.
Patton tilts his head. “Why?”
“He’s entering molt.” Nemo tsks away the bitterness. He’s gonna pay, he knows, but it’ll be worth it. “Testy bastard phase.”
“Oh, you mean like you?” Virgil challenges, and Nemo hisses at him.
Patton looks at Nemo. “Oh, hun. If you need help, let me know.”
Janus sits down. “Whatever.”
“Goooood morning!” Remus comes bounding down the stairs, followed by Roman. Roman trips Remus.
“Beat you!” Roman cackles as he sits down.
Remus huffs. “Cheater.”
Patton sighs. “Remus, don’t trip your brother.”
“Sorry, Patty.” Roman pouts. Virgil raises a brow at the twins.
Remus sits down and kisses Nico’s cheek. “Morning, Sunshine.”
“Good morning, Love.”
“So, what is everyone’s plan for the day?” Patton asks.
“Working as usual, but there is a new documentary on a famous serial killer that I plan to watch with Remus.”
“Oh shoot, that’s today?” Remus exclaims.
Logan raises an eyebrow at ‘Roman.’ “Yes? I didn’t think you would be interested in serial killers, Roman.”
Roman smirks at Remus. “Yeah, Ro-Ro, joining the dark side?”
Remus glares at Roman. “No, maybe I’m just interested in learning a new perspective. In case Thomas ever gets the role of a killer.”
Janus looks at them. ‘Oh, my Thomas. They switched too.’
“Well, you are welcome to watch with us, Roman.” Logan offers.
Nico looks at Nemo. “What about you?”
“Making sure there’s no Code Nemo today.” Nemo picks at his food. He pauses and takes a long sip of water.
“You have no faith.” Janus crosses his arms.
Virgil narrows his eyes at Janus and Nemo. He slowly begins smirking. “Don’t worry, Jan. I’m sure Patton would be willing to help.” Nemo glances at Virgil in masked panic.
Janus fights back a glare. ‘He knows. Wow, not even 15 minutes.’
“Nemo, I’m more than happy to help after breakfast,” Patton assures. “Maybe we could go on a picnic later.”
Janus internally groans. ‘You never seem to let anything be easy for me, Patton. Why did I agree to this?’ “Sounds lovely, Honeybee.”
“You have no idea what you’re getting into, Patton,” Nemo warns. Virgil’s just grinning like an idiot.
Patton waves his hand. “Nonsense. This isn’t the first time Nemo has molted.”
“Yeah, Janus. Stop hogging Pat’s boyfriend. Besides, don’t you wanna watch serial killers with Remus?” Nemo glares at Virgil.
“Yeah, J-Man! Join us.” Roman begs.
“Fine.” Nemo sighs, glancing at Janus. He’s never gonna hear the end of this.
…
Nemo sits on the couch, distanced from Remus, Logan, and Roman. He subtly massages his hand that’s on the verge of cramping. ‘ This is normal.’ He glances at the others. ‘ I wonder how long I have to stay before I can slip away?’ Taking a closer look at the twins, Nemo notices that Roman seems more interested in the film than Remus. That’s weird.
“You doing a character study on serial killers?” Nemo comments.
Remus looks at Nemo. “Uh, yeah. Like I said, in case Thomas needs it. To play a villain, you have to think like a villain.”
“That’s not actually a bad idea, Roman.” Logan agrees.
Nemo raises a brow, testing the taste on his tongue. He turns back to the TV, glancing off as images of injuries play. He continues watching the twins out of the corner of his eye. “You two seem to be getting along well.”
The twins raise an eyebrow at Nemo. “Can’t I get along with my sweet, sweet bitch of a brother?” Roman asks.
Remus glares at Roman. “Don’t call me Bitch.”
“Whatever you say.” Roman looks at the screen in time to see a horrible-looking corpse. Roman suppress the urge to gag.
“Woah, look at that corpse.” Remus beams.
Nemo blinks. ‘ Well, shoot. Did they switch too?’ He goes to ask, then pauses. ‘ I wanna see which of us can keep it up the longest.’ He hides a smirk and turns back to the TV. “Remus, when we’re done, I want to talk to you.”
Roman looks at Nemo. “Sure thing, Birdbrain.”
Nemo looks down at his gloved hand, wincing as his pinky finger curls in on itself. There’s familiarity in the outfit, the scales. But it’s not something he’d want to stay as now that he knows who he really is. “I just remembered I need to feed the snakes.” He stands. “See you later.”
“I thought we were going to talk?” Roman points out.
“We can talk while I feed.” Nemo waves him to follow.
Logan pauses the movie. “Do you want us to wait?”
Nemo shakes his head. “By the time I finish, you’ll be done. Enjoy.” He starts up the stairs.
“I’ll watch it later.” Roman follows Nemo.
“Suit themselves. Hit play!” Remus takes the remote. Logan rolls his eyes.
Roman and Nemo get to Janus’ room. Nemo closes the door and looks at Roman. “You aren’t Remus, are you?”
Roman sighs. “What gave it away?”
“‘Roman’ loved the gore way more.” Nemo shrugs. Nemo’s hand full on cramps, and he hisses, clutching it close.
Roman frowns. “Are you ok, Janus?”
“I’m fine.” Nemo makes a face at the bitterness. He drops the disguise, and the cramp dissipates. He breathes a sigh of relief, flexing his hand.
Roman starts laughing. “Oh, my Disney. Are you and Janus doing the same thing?”
Nemo laughs nervously. “Apparently.”
Roman suddenly stops laughing. “Wait. You let Janus take Patton out on a date?”
“I tried to stop them. They’ll be fine, though, right?” Nemo doesn’t sound convinced himself.
Roman makes a face, using Remus’ face. “I don’t know. Janus doesn’t really like Patton that much.”
“Understandment.” Nemo sighs. “It’s just for a day. How bad could it get?”
Roman shrugs. “I guess we will find out.”
...
Remus heads upstairs after the movie, going to Patton’s room to see if he wants to hang when he hears crying. Remus frowns and opens Patton’s door. “Patton? Are you ok?” He sees Patton crying on his bed. His skin shines and has cracks going everywhere. Remus rushes in. “Patty! What happened? What’s wrong with you?”
Patton looks at Remus and sobs. “Nemo broke up with me.”