With Friends Like These...
Happy holidays! This is my gift for @sunflowerstalks for the Sanders Sides Gift Exchange @sanderssidesgiftxchange
Thank you @authorgirl0131 for beta reading!
Hope you enjoy!
Warnings: Remus-typical raunchiness, kissing, mild gore, mildly graphic injuries, mild angst, swearing
Genre: fluff, hurt/comfort(emphasis on the comfort)
Characters: Janus, Patton, Roman, Logan, Remus, Virgil
Powers/Magic Focus List:
Janus- studies potions, has scales on half his body
Patton- fire powers, studies energy manipulation
Remus- witch, studies mind magic
Roman- witch, studies nature magic
Logan- alchemist
Virgil- hedgewitch, studies medicinal magic
Word Count: 5156
Summary: All Janus wanted was to have a nice dinner with Patton, but when you live with a crazy alchemist and a witch with a penchant for dramatics and your boyfriend is literally the hottest person in the room at any given moment, sometimes life gets in the way.
AO3 link in reblog - story continues under the cut
~
“Roman, Logan, I swear to god, if you’ve ruined the dinner I made for Patton in the five minutes I left the room, I will dismember you and use your remains for potions,” Janus snarled at the sight of smoke coming from the kitchen.
“Ummm,” a voice came from the kitchen. “Roman and Logan didn’t ruin anything?”
Janus closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, walking into the kitchen blind, not wanting to see the disaster.
“Hi, Patton,” he said calmly. “You’re here early.” Janus opened his eyes to see a blushing Patton standing in front of a smoking stove.
“Hi, Janus,” Patton chirped. “I missed you!”
Janus sighed fondly, letting go of any pretense of frustration. “What did you do?”
Patton flushed. “I let myself in and saw that the kitchen was empty and the stove was off. I wanted to make sure the food stayed warm, so I tried to heat it up.”
“My stove is not complicated, Patton,” Janus sighed. “You could have just turned it on.”
“Yeah,” Patton admitted. “But I’ve been getting better at heating things myself! So I picked up the pan-”
“And torched dinner,” Janus finished.
“And torched dinner,” Patton agreed.
“Are you two lovebirds done trying to make the scalded remains of that monstrosity romantic?” Roman called from the doorway. Roman was one of Janus’s roommates and had been since their sophomore year of college. They both were suspiciously quiet about their freshman year roommates but no one had ever managed to piece together any of that mystery.
“I called my brother and he said we could go over there for dinner,” Roman said with a smirk. “Something about assuming that between the two of you, something was going to go wrong.”
Patton scowled good-naturedly. “Was that what he meant when he told me to keep my hands to myself when I left earlier?”
Janus slipped a gloved hand into Patton’s. “I assure you, it was not.”
“That wasn’t either,” Roman snapped with a grin, gesturing at their hands.
“Oh?” Patton asked, his eyes wide with faux innocence. “Did Remus mean I should put my hands on parts of your body that aren’t covered in heat-proof cloth? Because that would be very irresponsible.”
Janus stammered and almost swallowed his tongue as Patton dragged his fingers up Janus’s fire-resistant jacket and hovered them by the jacket’s collar where he could feel the burning heat scalding the wisps of hair on his neck and heating the scales on the left side of his face.
Roman coughed loudly. “I’m going over to Patton, Remus and Virgil’s place. You’re welcome to join me if you aren’t planning to do it in the kitchen. And if you do, make sure that you fully burn whatever you touch.” Roman looked over his shoulder into the hall and called. “Logan! It’s time to go unless you want to be reminded what charred snakeskin smells like!”
Logan coughed awkwardly as he left his room. “I would recommend we all vacate the premises as soon as possible,” he said, avoiding eye contact with all of them.
“Hi, Logan,” Patton said without turning away from Janus.
“Hello, Patton,” Logan replied curtly. “I would really recommend we leave quickly.”
Roman groaned. “What did you do this time, nerd?”
Logan flushed. “If we leave now, we won’t have to find out.”
“You want to leave a project without finding out what it does?” Janus asked incredulously, pulling away from Patton with concern. “What did you do?”
Logan’s hand drifted to cradle his right arm. “I had two reactions going at once. They were meant to work in tandem, but one rebounded and now the walls are screaming at me. The effects should subside enough for me to fix it by tomorrow.”
“Logan, take off your shirt,” Roman said firmly. Logan sputtered and stumbled back. “Take off your shirt,” Roman insisted.
Logan scowled and tried to pull his shirt over his head. He hissed in pain as it caught on his right arm. He tugged harder, not moving his arm, until he yanked it off, crying out as it jostled his arm.
“Eve and all her daughters, Logan,” Roman hissed. “You’re going to get yourself killed one day.” Logan’s right arm was mangled, the bone warped and the skin peeling and bubbling like it was being burned.
“I’m fine,” Logan growled. “Everything is intact. When the burning subsides I can fix it.”
Roman stepped over and put his hands on Logan’s shoulders. “You are not trying medical alchemy on yourself. I don’t care if you’ve done it before, you aren’t doing it again. We’re going to see Virgil and Remus and you’re going to let Virgil fix your arm.”
“I can deal with the active reaction,” Janus offered. “I’m not half as good as you, but I should be able to reverse it.”
“I can do it,” Logan insisted.
Janus shook his head. “If you weren’t dealing with a rebound, you probably could. But you are so I’ve got it.” He shrugged. “Besides,” he said, gesturing to the scaled half of his face. “My curse gives me a bit more natural protection than you. If you’re really worried, I’ll have Patton with me to siphon off any excess energy I can’t control.”
“You know I’d do that for you anytime too, right Lo?” Patton asked, frowning at Logan. “It’s a lot safer for me to be a conduit than you and having a living conduit gives you more control over your reactions.”
“I know,” Logan snapped. “I’m the one who’s actually studying alchemy. I’m perfectly capable of controlling my own reactions without your help.”
“Come on,” Roman cut in before anyone could get more heated. “Let’s head over to the others and worry about this later.”
“No,” Logan snarled, “We can worry about this now.” He twisted away from Roman and threw both of his arms down to his sides, ignoring how his mangled arm twitched. “I’m sick of you all thinking I’m incompetent. I make mistakes sometimes, we all do, but I know what I’m doing. I have worked too hard for you all to keep acting like I need you to hold my hands. I don’t need your pity and I don’t need your help.”
Roman lunged forward and grabbed Logan’s right wrist, both of them ignoring the tears welling up in Logan’s eyes.
“We’re not helping you because we pity you,” Roman growled. “We’re not helping you because we think you aren’t good enough by yourself. We’re helping you because you’re too smart for your own good and you worry us sick with how little you care about your own safety. We’re helping you because just because you can do it alone doesn’t mean that you have to. So please,” he sighed and dropped Logan’s wrist. “Please let us help you.”
Logan stared Roman down for all of three seconds before he dropped his eyes with a sigh, tentatively rubbing his right wrist. “Okay.”
Roman sighed in relief. “Thank you. And I’m sorry about grabbing your wrist. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s okay, Roman,” Logan said softly. “It’s okay.” Logan bit his lip and without thinking, leaned up on his toes and kissed Roman.
Roman’s eyes widened and he froze, Logan’s lips shaking slightly against his. His hands drifted forward of their own accord and threaded into Logan’s hair, pulling him closer. Logan dug his nails into Roman’s back and clung to him for dear life.
After a moment they pulled apart and Roman chucked. “First kiss and I’ve already got you shirtless,” he quipped. He groaned suddenly. “Virgil is going to be so pissed that I kissed you first.”
Logan’s eyes flew open. “Oh my god,” he breathed. “I forgot you were dating Virgil.”
Roman rolled his eyes. “Did you miss the part where I said he was going to be pissed that I kissed you first? I mean, if you’re only interested in me that’s fine, but Virgil and I have both been flirting with you for months.”
“Oh.”
“As sweet as this is,” Janus drawled from across the kitchen. “I would like to eat sometime tonight. Perhaps we can continue this with the raccoon actually present?”
Roman blushed. “Come on, let’s go.”
~
Roman, Logan, Patton, and Janus entered Remus, Virgil, and Patton’s apartment with all the grace of a herd of elephants. Remus popped his head out of the kitchen at the sound and grinned when he saw them.
“I thought I might be seeing you before tomorrow,” he crowed. “Did Pitter-Patton burn Double-D’s dinner or did the Ro-Lo tornado force you over here?”
Patton scowled lightly and swatted at Remus who batted his hand away with an oven mitt. “I burned it,” he said sullenly. “I thought I was getting better.”
“You are,” Remus said with a grin. “I don’t see any ash on you four so I assume the apartment is still standing.” He turned to yell towards the living room. “Hey Virgil, you owe me ten bucks!”
Patton and Roman made identical affronted noises.
“That’s not to say that the Roman and Logan tornado didn’t also force us out,” Janus said dryly. “Patton just managed to burn dinner first.”
“Dammit,” Remus muttered. “Hey Virgil, I also owe you ten bucks!” he called.
“Can we just say we both lost the bet and you should shut the fuck up?” came a muffled shout. “I’m studying!”
“While I am glad to shoulder the blame of any of my dear comrade’s actions,” Roman said with grace. Suddenly, he got a glint in his eye and smirked. “It was mostly Logan!” he yelped.
Logan tried to look intimidating, but his soft grin that hadn’t faded since they’d left the apartment ruined any efforts. So, he rolled his eyes and swatted Roman in the shoulder.
“Fuck!” Logan shouted, gripping the wall for support, tears welling up in his eyes. He’d smacked Roman with his right arm. His arm felt like it was pulsing along with his heartbeat and he swore he could see bone through his torn skin. Black veins started inching past his damaged forearm and up his bicep. “Oh, what did I do?” Logan hissed, finally managing to catch his breath. He stood up shakily and coughed, straightening his tie.
“My apologies,” he said, coughing to cover up a wince. “You were saying?”
“Oh, fuck no,” Remus cut in, eyes wide. “You need a doctor like now. At least let Virgil look at you if you won’t go to the damn hospital.”
Logan sighed. “I don’t need to go to the hospital. I’m fine. And Virgil is busy studying.”
“Uh, no, I’m not.” Five sets of eyes swung over to the end of the hall where Virgil was standing, his couch and books abandoned. He flushed and ducked his head. “Yeah, I was pretending to study so Remus would leave me alone and not make me help cook,” he admitted. “That went out the door when you started screaming, L. What the hell happened?”
“My reaction rebounded,” Logan replied stiffly. “Despite my earlier refusal, I… could use some help.”
“Gotcha,” Virgil nodded. He gestured to the living room behind him with his head. “Come in here and lay down. Roman, come help me clear space.”
Roman nodded gravely and scurried into the room to clear off the couch so Logan could lie down right away.
“Left or right?” Virgil asked, digging through his bag and not looking at Logan.
“Right,” Logan replied curtly.
“Okay,” Virgil fell silent for a second. “Put your head closer to me so your right arm is open and your left is against the back of the couch. Roman, get him a pillow.”
Roman grabbed a pillow and Logan settled down on the couch. Meanwhile, Patton, Janus and Remus filed into the kitchen to finish dinner and to give the other three some space.
“Virgil,” Logan said quietly. “Thank you.”
Virgil brushed him off. “Shut up, nerd.” He flipped through a black leatherbound book that looked one wrong look away from falling apart. “Roman, look at me and pay attention.”
Roman rolled his eyes. “I’m listening.”
Virgil scowled. “Look at me. I need you to grab something off of my ‘fuck up’ shelf and if you grab the wrong one and I don’t notice, we could kill him.”
“You never let anyone touch your ‘fuck up’ shelf.” Roman’s eyes went wide.
“Yeah, well,” Virgil muttered, not looking at anyone. “We’re on a time crunch.”
“We aren’t,” Logan protested.
“We are,” Virgil snapped. “Whatever you did didn’t just rebound, it cast something else inside your arm. There’s a good chance that it will eat your arm if I don’t get it out.” Virgil lifted his head and looked at Roman. “Roman, look at me. Go to my room. From the door, there’s a shelf on the left, the left, with bottles. Grab the one labeled “Logan” and the one labeled “Janus” and bring them here without opening them.”
Virgil turned to Logan without watching to see if Roman listened. “Okay, you are going to be completely honest with me about what hurts, how much, and where. I could do so much damage if I don’t take something into account or if I try to fix something that isn’t there.” Virgil knelt by Logan’s side. “What hurts?”
Logan stared at the ceiling. “My forearm is either numb or burning. I can’t tell. My upper arm feels like it’s being stabbed. I’m dizzy and feel like I might throw up but that might be because I kissed Roman and I’m terrified I ruined our friendship.”
Virgil stiffened. “You kissed Roman?”
“Yeah,” Logan admitted. “I kissed Roman.”
“Okay,” Virgil said haltingly. “After I fix your arm, can I kiss you too?”
Logan smiled. “I would like that.”
~
Logan stretched his arm and smiled. “It feels great,” he said. “Better than before.”
Virgil rolled his eyes. “Because you don’t take care of yourself, L. I don’t like having to use my ‘fuck up’ jars. Don’t make me do it again.”
Roman coughed from his chair across the room. “I have to ask. What is a ‘fuck up’ jar?”
Virgil smirked. “The ones I just used? Fixes for the most likely way each of you will fuck up. Logan’s was a quick fix for a reaction that rebounds. I used Janus’s because it looked like whatever L used for his components mixed with his arm and made a poison. The jars just have standard herbs and components, so I can tweak them to fit whatever actually happens.” He smirked. “The ones on the right are components for hexes, tailored to however each of you would want to fuck someone up.”
Roman gaped. “I see why you didn’t want me to get them confused.”
“Yeah,” Virgil snorted. He shook his head and grinned at Roman. “So, I heard you kissed Logan.”
Roman blushed. “I kissed Logan.”
“Was it good?” Virgil leered, ignoring Logan’s reddening face.
“So good,” Roman teased. “So very good.”
“What about you, L?” Virgil said, lightly shoving his shoulder. “Was kissing my boyfriend good?”
Logan stared at the ceiling. “I would rather not answer that question.”
“Okay,” Virgil said, softening. “How about this one? Can I kiss you?”
Logan sat up and turned to Virgil. “Please.”
~
“So…” Remus drawled. “Anyone wanna guess why they’re taking so long?”
“No,” Janus snapped before that conversation could go anywhere. He was sitting at the kitchen table and scowling. Remus was bustling around the stove, pots and pans bubbling cheerfully, with a pink apron that said ‘I like my butt rubbed and my pork pulled’ on it. Patton had been leaning on the counter, watching Remus, but he walked over to Janus and pulled up a chair next to him.
“Are you okay?” Patton asked.
“I’m fine,” Janus snarled.
Remus snorted without looking at them. “We know you well enough to know you’re not, Jan. What’s wrong?”
Janus huffed. “I hate this. I hate that we always end up here. I hate that I can never do something nice for my boyfriend, that you,” he jabbed a finger at Remus. “Always need to come running in to fix everything.”
“I’m really sorry I ruined your dinner, Janus,” Patton said softly.
Janus scoffed. “Patton, it was shit. I was in the bathroom trying to figure out an excuse to throw it out so we wouldn’t have to eat it before you showed up. I was ready to recruit Roman to just hex the entire kitchen and be done with it. I’m the one who always ruins things.”
“Do you think we care?” Remus cut in.
“Remus,” Patton chided.
“No, Patton,” Remus pushed. He turned around to face Janus. “I’m serious. Do you think either of us give a shit if you mess up? I love cooking for you two. I love spending time with you two. I can back off if you want me to, but I like coming in to rescue you. And Patton? Patton adores everything you do. If there was ever a person who genuinely meant ‘it’s the thought that counts,’ it would be Patton. We don’t care if you’re perfect. We lo-” he coughed. “Like you, the way you are, a lot.”
“Yeah,” Patton murmured. “We love you. A lot.”
Remus’s eyes dropped to the floor and he turned back to the stove.
“Hey, Janus,” Patton said, looking at Remus. “Can you give us a minute?”
Janus blinked. “Um, sure?”
“Okay,” Patton replied absentmindedly. He leaned over and kissed Janus on his scaly cheek. The scales sizzled slightly, but Janus didn’t flinch.
Janus swallowed heavily, his mouth suddenly dry, and stepped out of the kitchen.
~
“Remus,” Patton started.
“Don’t,” Remus said firmly, not looking at Patton. “I’m sorry, okay? He doesn’t know and I won’t push. He loves you and he’s happy.”
“He loves you too,” Patton insisted. “He loves you too and…” he took a breath and steeled himself. “And so do I.” Remus turned around to look at Patton. “We love you too. Remus, you have to know that. You’re with us on ¾ of our dates and you’ve heard us complain about the ones when you aren’t there. We like you, Remus.”
“I like you both,” Remus admitted. “But I like you too much. I’m too much. It’s for the best.”
“Because you feel too intensely?” Patton asked sharply. “So do I. I burn things when I get mad. Janus has to wear gloves because touching me hurts him. We work with it and we will work with you. Do you want us?”
“I want…” Remus breathed. “So much. I want to let J and L experiment on me until I can put my mouth everywhere on you. I want to lick Janus’s scales. I want to never need a blanket again because you’re cuddling me and I’m drowning in my own sweat. I want to find out how Janus’s tongue feels. I want-”
“You,” Patton finished. “I can only make guesses for Janus, but Remus, I want you too.”
“Kiss me?” Remus asked breathlessly. Patton smiled helplessly and pointed at the ceiling, a flame flickering above his finger like a birthday candle.
“Sorry,” he said.
Remus shook his head, grinning widely. “No, it’s fine. I can’t feel pain right now, so we just have to be quick enough to not do lasting damage.” Patton’s brow furrowed and Remus laughed. “The oil was splattering so I did a quick hypnotic charm on myself so it wouldn’t bother me. It wears off in about an hour; I do them all the time.”
Patton’s pupils went wide. “You,” he breathed. “Are. So. Smart,” he said, punctuating each word with a kiss pressed to Remus’s lips. “You’re smart and wonderful and-”
“Hot?” Remus teased.
“So hot,” Patton hissed, grabbing Remus’s neck and pulling him in for a searing kiss.
~
“We really should talk to Janus,” Remus said, licking his lips for any remaining taste of Patton.
Patton smiled, bemused. “Did you really think I would kiss you without talking to him first? We should but he probably already guessed.”
“Or,” came a voice from the doorway. “He got self-conscious wondering what you two were talking about and came back and decided to enjoy the show.”
“Hi, J,” Remus said quietly.
“Hi, Remus,” Janus responded. “Care to kiss me too?”
“Oh, hell yes,” he hissed, lunging across the room to throw himself into Janus’s arms. Janus caught him by the sides of his face and slammed their mouths together. Remus’s hands flew up to Janus’s and pulled off his gloves, reveling in the feeling of cold scales on his right and a warm, clammy hand on his left.
Remus pulled back for a second, smiling at the small whine that escaped Janus. “I love you,” he whispered, before crashing back into him.
~
By the time the six of them actually sat down to eat, they were all beaming with suspiciously red mouths.
“So,” Remus said with a glint in his eyes. “Are double dates going to be six people now?”
Janus cuffed him upside the head, but the sparkle in his eyes matched Remus’s and he was doing a terrible job of hiding his laugh. He sat down next to Remus and slipped off his gloves to eat. Remus snagged the left glove with a wink and sat down between Janus and Patton, sliding his newly gloved hand under the table.
“Maybe we should swap Janus out for Virgil,” Roman teased, smirking at his brother.
“Oooo!” Remus cheered gleefully, “I’d take that trade.”
“We’re not trading,” Virgil deadpanned. “Living with these two hazards to society, I would probably die of stress in a week.”
“Oh, you love us, Doctor Gloom,” Roman snapped goodnaturedly.
Virgil rolled his eyes. “Whatever, Doctor Do-the-Most.”
“As much as I would enjoy spending more time with Virgil,” Logan cut in. “I do rather enjoy living with Janus.”
“Relax, Sub-astute Teacher,” Roman groaned with a grin. “We’re not actually swapping roommates. Janus knows too many secrets for me to let him leave.”
“I was almost flattered, but then Roman opened his mouth and I remembered why I should have known better,” Janus deadpanned, not looking at any of them.
“You know you love me,” Roman taunted.
“Really?” Janus said, locking eyes with Roman. “I had thought the fact that your brother’s tongue has been in my mouth would make you less inclined to carry on our sordid affair.”
“But however shall I go on without it?” Roman faked a swoon. “It is the only excitement in my dull and pitiable life!”
“Alas,” Janus cried, swooning as well. “It cannot be, for as I am bound to my loves so are you to the bitchy raccoon who would punch my teeth out if we were ever to be amorous.”
“Bitchy racoon!” Virgil yelped indignantly.
Janus smirked. “You’re the one who assumed I was talking about you.”
“I love that you’re more upset that he called you a bitchy raccoon than that he said he was having an affair with your boyfriend,” Roman said, sitting up with a grin.
Virgil shrugged. “I mean, any excuse to punch Janus, but if you two really wanted to, I wouldn’t try and stop you.”
Janus coughed. “Well. This just got uncomfortably honest.”
“Yeah.” Roman winced.
“Sorry?” Virgil said hesitantly. “I mean, was I supposed to say I’d try to control your love life? Our relationship has never been like that.”
“You do know we’re joking, right?” Janus said suddenly. “I’m not interested in Roman. At all.”
Roman let out an affronted gasp and grinned. “Well, my ego had been irreversibly damaged, but same. Flirting with you is fun but I’m not interested in anything more than that.”
“Well, now I know that.” Virgil muttered.
“Did you really not know they were only joke-flirting?” Logan asked. “Roman doesn’t look at Janus the way he looks at you. Janus doesn’t look at Roman the way he looks at Remus and Patton.”
“How does Janus look at me?” Patton spoke up.
Janus flushed. “You don’t have to answer that-”
“Like you hung the moon,” Logan answered. “He looks at you like you hung the moon and the stars, like he’d learn how to hang them himself if it would make you smile.”
“How does he look at me?” Remus mumbled.
“Like looking at the sun,” Logan said without hesitating. “He looks at you like you like everything that is is because of you and if he looked too long he would burn up.”
“Where did that come from?” Virgil asked incredulously.
Logan’s eyes dropped. “I have an appreciation for poetry.”
“Well, now I have to ask,” Roman murmured. “What do you see when you look at me and Virgil? How do you look at us?”
Logan looked up and caught Roman’s eyes like he was the only person in the world. “I see someone who’s not afraid to try, who makes me be not afraid to try. I see someone who could stand next to galaxies and still shine brighter. I see someone was given countless opportunities to be selfish and chose to be kind. I see someone that I could picture myself falling in love with.”
He turned to Virgil, biting his lip. “I look at you and I see someone who took their fear and made it a strength. I see someone who is loyal to a fault, but strong, stubborn, and determined enough to be loyal anyway. I see someone who I could spend the rest of my life learning and still always find something new that makes you worth knowing. I see someone I could see myself falling in love with.”
“Oh my god,” Roman whispered to Virgil. “He’s perfect.”
Virgil barked a laugh, startled out of his trance. “We already knew that, Princey.”
~
Remus was sitting between Janus and Patton. He hadn’t eaten a bite because both of them had silently grabbed his hands at some point and there was absolutely no way in hell that he was letting go.
Patton squeezed his hand gently and he melted. Remus had been gone on Janus since about a week after they’d met in freshman year. Janus had sat down next to him in a basic introduction to potions class and immediately started complaining about his roommate. Remus still wasn’t sure if Janus had thought he was Roman and was too embarrassed to admit it after realizing his mistake or if Janus really just walked up to a stranger to complain about his roommate. Remus had, of course, taken his complaints as a challenge, to simultaneously be worse than the roommate and to terrorize the school into assigning Janus a new roommate. Remus liked to believe he had succeeded on both fronts, but considering Janus was now dating him, the first one was probably a failure.
Remus was very okay with being a failure in that particular venture. Janus was amazing.
Then there was Patton. Remus had hated Roman for introducing Patton and Janus because they had fallen for each other hard and fast. The day Janus started wearing heat resistant clothes and gloves everywhere was the day Remus decided that if he ever met Patton, he was going to steal his liver. Then this absolutely adorable little fireball with a smile like the sun waltzes into Remus’s psychology class, asks to sit next to him, and absconds with the remains of Remus’s heart. Remus would do anything for either one of them, including keep his silence. He let times hanging out with one of them become dates he third-wheeled on without saying anything; he made sure they ate and ate well, putting to use the skills he’d learned growing up with busy parents who always had time to make dinner but never time to make anything interesting; he listened to them gush about each other and only cried a little bit after he was alone. He took what they were willing to give him and enjoyed it, because they were happy and he loved seeing them happy; he was happy and it was enough.
But as always, then there was Patton, who saw too much and couldn’t stand by if he saw someone hurting. Remus was utterly terrified that they were just indulging him, that they felt guilty about his jealousy, but Remus wasn’t noble or chivalrous; he was selfish and, at least for now, he would take.
~
Patton had never been more scared in his life. He squeezed Remus’s hand and practically squealed when Remus squeezed his back. There were so many things that could go wrong, not the least of which was that the two of them would get tired of having a boyfriend that they could barely touch and leave him. Patton adored Janus and had practically swooned when he’d first talked to Remus. They were sweet and wonderful and perfect for each other. If that meant that they weren’t perfect for Patton, then he was pretty sure he loved them enough that he’d rather see them happy. But for now, Janus was smiling at him and Remus was holding his hand and as scared as he was about the future, Patton had never been happier.
~
Janus was feeling a lot of things. Mostly uncomfortable. He was still hung up on the short conversation he’d had with Virgil and Roman when they’d first sat down. It was no secret that Janus and Roman were close. Janus had only met Remus because he’d mixed him up with Roman in his frustration and by the time he’d noticed, he was enjoying Remus’s company. Janus had feelings for Roman, but they had only ever been platonic. Virgil, on the other hand, had been the subject of more romantic fantasies than Janus would care to admit. They’d been friends as kids, close in middle school, drifted apart in high school, and ended up at the same college. Except they’d done more than drift apart in high school. Janus developed a crush on Virgil and like the exceptionally smart 14 year old he was, he’d stopped hanging out with him and started being rude. Virgil eventually blew up on him their sophomore year, screaming painfully specific insults and obscenities in the middle of the cafeteria. They didn’t talk again until Roman tried to introduce them their freshman year of college. It had been awkward and they never really got close again, but they were back on speaking terms.
It still hurt, hearing Virgil remind him of exactly how badly he’d messed up. ‘Any excuse to punch Janus.’ In Janus’s opinion, any excuse for Virgil to punch Janus was probably fair.
Remus looked over at him, his mouth barely pinched and his brow slightly furrowed. He squeezed Janus’s hand.
Janus smiled and squeezed his hand back. He leaned over and dropped his head onto Remus’s shoulder.
“Love you,” Remus whispered into his hair.
Janus squeezed his hand. “You too.”
~
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Head in the Clouds
Hello my deers. I had some time, some thoughts and feelings so this was the result. Hope you enjoy it!
Summary: If someone is constantly on your mind then maybe that’s where they’re meant to be.
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Head in the Clouds
**
It was a peaceful and sunny day. The weather was perfect for being outside and Shikamaru gladly took advantage of a rare day off. Against the cool grass, he lazily watched the clouds pass by. It had been a while since he could lay so listlessly about. There was no room for leisure while in the throes of life, death, and war. But he settled into a relaxed state easily.
He drifted in and out as he stared out into the high heavens. He thought about his friends and family. The work that would be inevitably waiting for him the next day. His mind wandered with no destination in mind. Until a curious thing happened.
The clouds above seemed to take various shapes. Unique but familiar, their shapes reminded him of a certain wind-wielding kunoichi. And despite how he tried to convince himself that they were actually different objects they remained as permanent symbols that taunted him from the sky.
Shikamaru reasoned with himself that this was happening because he knew what was to take place tonight.
Temari had mentioned it casually after work on their way to dinner. She’d been asked out on a date by a jounin whose name he’d happily forgotten. The announcement was confusing and surprising so he just nodded and wished her a good time. What else was there to say? Temari was young and attractive. Her brother was the Kazekage, of course, she’d attract attention. This was a good thing. And they were friends. Weren’t you supposed to be happy for your friends?
He tried to forget about that conversation and refocused towards the sky. He would be a liar if he didn’t say that this was the first time that he’d thought about Temari and not just while cloud watching. It seemed that more and more simple things would remind him of her. Certain sights, and sounds, always brought him back to her. Temari was now the center of his dreams and it was becoming much more troublesome. It was becoming some kind of strange vice.
It didn’t matter whether he was sitting in silence or thundering chaos his thoughts would inevitably float towards her. What she was doing, how she might approach a particular situation. This would often influence his decisions and she’d become some sort of muse. The harder he fought against thinking about her the more it seemed that she remained stuck in his mind.
It was becoming worrisome that he’d considered talking to Chouji about it. He knew that if he admitted to what was going on his friend would insist that he should just ask Temari out. That they should finally just become a couple. Everyone was just waiting for them to be together.
It happened more times than he’d like to admit. Those around him asked constantly if they were dating or a couple. Wanting to be proven right. That they’d foreseen the inevitable. Shikamaru would just claim that he didn’t dare think about her that way. That they were just friends and to imagine anything more would be wrong.
It was a claim but not a fact. And to say that he’d never considered her as a romantic partner would be a bald-faced lie.
Shikamaru rubbed a hand over his tired face. His beloved clouds provided him no comfort. He needed a distraction. Knowing that she was out there with someone that wasn’t him was making him anxious.
*
**
Barbecue with Ino and Choji was the best form of comfort. They were older now and spending time all together was more challenging but they always found a way. Sitting together eating and drinking made life seem simpler. Maybe just friendships were enough. But he’d already imagined what it might be like if she was sitting right there next to him.
“Wow Chouji, you’re pretty smitten.” The said man grinned with a nod.
He’d just returned home from a diplomatic mission in Kumo and was delighted to share all the details of his trip. One of which was about a fiery, red-headed kunoichi
“Karui’s different. On the outside, she seems cold and hard to approach. She can be loud and mean but there’s a lot more to her. She was…sweet to me. I can’t explain it. We spent a lot of time there together and even though, in the grand scheme of things we haven’t known each other for a long time, we just get one another.”
Ino nodded. “I feel that way with Sai. We’re so different in how we act and think but when we get to it I think a lot of our values and what we think is important are the same. He’s been everything to me since the war ended and through processing all that stuff. I’ve never felt so safe with someone.”
They sat there in silence thinking about how much their conversations had changed over the years. Everything felt more serious now. They knew soon enough their clan responsibilities would only become more intense. Who would share that burden with them was becoming clearer.
“I know Ino and I are new to this but Shikamaru here, well he’s been getting to know Temari for years now. Just gotta cross that bridge right buddy.” Chouji teased his friend.
He was thinking about his friends’ reflections on their new relationships that Chouji’s comment surprised him. “What do you mean? We’re just friends.”
They both rolled their eyes at him. They’d heard this argument far too many times now. “You two aren’t just friends. The three of us are friends. You and Temari, you’re something else entirely.”
“And what is that?”
“Soulmates,” Chouji told him softly.
Shikamaru waited silently for Chouji to elaborate.
“I don’t know. The two of you just seem inevitable. Since we were kids she’s been in your life. You’ve gone through hell and back together. She’s just always been there with you. Sometimes I feel like she knows you even better than we do.”
“If that’s true, why is she on a date with someone else.” They could sense the bitterness in Shikmaru’s voice.
“Because she’s stubborn and you’re lazy.”
He couldn’t argue against Ino’s characterization of them.
“You've never shown any interest in her so she’s probably a little scared that you’re not. She’s not going to make the first move here.” Ino tried to explain.
“How can you be so sure that she feels that way about me?” He didn’t like how this conversation had evolved but he needed their help.
Ino just shrugged her shoulders ignoring her friend’s crisis.
“It’s a hunch and just an observation. When she’s here, you’re together. She’ll seek you out. When I’ve hung out with her, her favorite thing to talk about is you. Temari doesn’t get close to people. But for some reason, a shinobi that she met as a child, who beat her during an exam, who she scolds, criticizes, and trusts is her best friend. But that doesn’t seem like a good enough title for what you two are and how you are when you’re together.”
“That’s fine and all. but it doesn’t mean that she likes me in that way. I’m not even sure how I feel.”
“How can you not be sure?” Ino demanded becoming annoyed at his sheer stubbornness.
Shikamaru tried to find the words to explain.“I mean yes, we’ve been through a lot together. We hang out when she’s here. I trust her with my life. I’ll think about her a lot when she’s gone. It’s kind of annoying. If she was closer then maybe I wouldn’t think about her so much. She’s beautiful, she’s strong and resilient. She’s honest to a fault but I know in her own way that’s how she shows that she cares. It feels like it’s been so long now that I can’t imagine not having her in my life. When I think about my future, I want her there.”
Chouji and Ino let him stew in quiet. “Well, it sounds like you have some decisions to make. You two can carry on how you have been and remain friends. But at some point, either she or you will find someone. Where will that leave you and your relationship?
Shikamaru sat there reflecting on what they’d said. Temari was just on a first date with this guy. It didn’t mean that they were going to get married. But the possibility did remain that it could lead down that path. And if it wasn’t this particular person who’s to say it wouldn’t be the one after him. And if she was the one to move on he knew that he’d have to live still seeing her everywhere.
*
**
Shikamaru inevitably found himself waiting for Temari to come home. He remained hidden until he was sure that she was alone then made his presence known. If she was surprised by him being there it didn’t show.
He couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious. She looked gorgeous dressed in civilian clothes with her face made up. It was less pleasant when he remembered that she didn’t look this way for him.
“Shikamaru, can I help you with something?”
“Can we go take a walk? Hang out for a little?” He asked hopefully. On any normal day, they would have spent time together. After not seeing her all day he felt off-balance.
Curiosity and concern were fueling Temari and so she agreed. It was obvious something was weighing heavily on his shoulders. He believed that he could suppress his emotions well but he couldn’t hide anything from her.
They walked together in sync. He didn’t even have to guide her steps; she just seemed to know instinctively where to go. Was he really that obvious? Or did she just know him that well?
They spoke with one another freely. The conversation always flowed so easily between them. This was normal and Shikamaru finally felt like he was on solid ground until they settled into their familiar place.
It was a specific spot in the Nara forest. A singular place where the canopy of the trees didn’t block their view of the sky. How many times had they been there together? Either for cloud watching or star gazing. Or sometimes just for no reason at all. They would just sit, comfortable and silent. Together and away from the chaos of the world.
Shikamaru felt the question trapped in his throat. Insecurity and worry got the better of him that he had to ask.
“How was your…uhm date?”
Temari looked at him surprised before shifting her gaze back to the sky. “It went well. He was polite and charming. I can imagine that we’d get along.”
“Good, I’m happy for you.”
Temari peered at him curiously. “Are you really?”
“What do you mean?”
She just shook her head. “I guess that this is to be expected. You said days ago that no matter what happened we’d always remain friends. And I’m thankful for that…”. Her thoughts trailed off and they sat there in heavy silence.
“He asked me if I’d want to go out with him again but I wasn’t sure what to say.” She stopped again before sighing.
“Sorry, I must be tired, I can't think straight. I should go.” Temari began to get up but he settled a warm hand against hers.
“Clouds.”
“What?” She responded confused. Why did everything go back to the clouds with him?
“I see you in them. I try not to but you’re there.”
“Oh.”
His heart and mind were racing. “But it’s not just the clouds. I find you in crowds and during my walks in the forests that I have to do a double-take. Before I sleep and when I dream. You’re there. Even now under these millions of stars, it’s just you. At first, I was confused and a little annoyed but I realized that I like that you’re constantly on my mind. That even when I’m not with you. You’re here.” He moved their joined hands against his heart.
Now that it was out in the open there was no stopping him.
“When I told you that we’d always be friends I meant it but it hurt to believe that perhaps we’d only ever be friends. I tried to hide it, wish it away, and pretend but I can’t do that anymore. Temari, it’s you. And whether you give me a Summer or a lifetime I’ll be happy for it. Do you think maybe you’d like to be with me? That perhaps together we can be something more.”
Temari was worried that when she slipped into his arms he could feel her heart racing. Even worse when she felt him place a kiss against her head.
His admission sat heavily in her heart. The weight behind his words and actions and what this would mean made her stomach flutter.
“So you can finally admit you like me?” She teased him with a grin.
He stared at her in shock, but she had always been more perceptive than him. “You knew?”
Her hand gently ran through the strands of his hair “Not exactly, I just felt something… unusual with you. You treat me differently, it’s nice and it made me feel special that you chose me. I don’t even think you realized it.”
Even though he’d been consciously trying to hide his feelings, subconsciously he’d been making it known.
She rested her head against his shoulder. Her breath fluttering against his neck made him shiver.
“I think about you all the time too. It gets so much worse and harder when I’m in Suna. Sometimes it’s like the sand makes shapes of you and reminds me that you’re far away.” She relished in the way his arms wrapped tighter around her. A strong reminder that he was there with her.
“Growing up the way we did in Suna my brothers and I never really had friends. I’m not even that sure when you and I became friends. But it means so much to me that I never wanted to do anything that could upset that balance. At the end of the day, I can’t stand the idea of losing you. I agreed to go out on that date because I thought it might make things less complicated between us. That we’d remain in this neutral and safe place. I think though that we’re meant for something beyond friendship and it’s worth taking that chance.” The smile that he adored so much crossed her lips.
“And I think the greatest risk that I’ve ever taken was falling for my best friend.” Temari melted when Shikamaru’s lips met hers.
Safe and warm she never wanted to be anywhere else. Shikamaru held her strong and steady against his chest. Noticing how perfectly she seemed to fit against him. He kissed her again and again. He hoped his actions said more than his words ever could as a hundred different emotions raced through him. Just friendship between them would never be enough, not after knowing how it felt to kiss her.
He knew that everything in life had its possibility of troubles. Sure this would inevitably change their relationship and it could lead to some dark places but he also knew that there was hope and possibilities. And that there were many things in life worth fighting for.
This was one of them.
Shikamaru held onto Temari, taking in the moment that had been years in the making. Unspoken promises were shared between them. They’d remain who they were. Their relationship would just be built on the strong foundation they’d made and it would become so much greater.
A sincere smile appeared on his face as he stared at her. He could easily see their life and future reflected in her eyes and it was one that he’d gladly work towards.
“So you and me?” She asked with a grin, hope, and excitement reflected in her vibrant eyes.
He smiled softly at her before kissing her gently. That sounded just fine to him.
“Forever.”
*
**
This story was super inspired by the song "double take" by dhruv. I've wanted to write something inspired by it for a while and I love the falling in love with your best friend trope.
Hope you're all doing well, staying healthy and safe. Love you my fawns. Till the next one!
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