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edupunkn00b · 10 months

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Overruled, Ch. 5: Philosophy of Love Meets The Science of Attraction

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You got peanut butter Intrulogical in my chocolate Loceit. You got chocolate Dukeceit in my peanut butter Loceit. Oh, no wait, we've just discovered peanut butter cups Intruloceit. For Day 5 of @loceitweek, Philosophy/Science. Yes, this is still a Loceit story. :)

WC: 3237 - Rated T - cw: suggestive, alcohol, swearing, unhealthy coping mechanisms ---

“You have to check your calendar?” Janus blurted out, staring incredulously at him. “No, he’s free,” he said to Remus. “What time can he pick you up?”

“Janus, really, I—”

Janus cut him off with a look.

“You can pick me up at eight.” Remus’ voice wasn’t as confident as it had been a moment ago, and his eyes danced nervously between them even as he smiled. “My brother’ll be busy with some tech break down shit tomorrow night…” Warm fingers played at the edges of his hair, ostensibly clearing his vision. “We’ll have the place to ourselves.”

Logan tugged at the label on his water bottle and tried to catch Janus’ eye. He understood his reluctance, didn’t he? “I… I merely need to be certain I have not committed to anything else before I said yes,” he finally said to Remus.

“You haven’t,” Janus insisted and stood, offering a hand first to Remus and then to Logan. The finality of his answer echoed against the fitness room walls and suddenly Logan was a lot less warm.

Janus gripped his hand for a moment longer than necessary and Logan again tried to catch his gaze. Despite his smile, he steadfastly avoided his eyes. Finally, Logan nodded and turned to Remus, smiling. Bright green eyes stared back at his, their earlier nervousness burned away. “I’ll pick you up at eight, Remus,” he said. “Wear something casual.” Janus left with a little wave and Logan followed, calling back over his shoulder. “And warm.”

At eight o’clock sharp, Logan knocked at the door number Remus had text him, a picnic basket and plaid blanket tucked under one arm.

“Hmm, don’t you look delectable,” Remus purred, looking him up and down. “Punctual, too.” He closer and trailed two fingers over the constellation pattern on his tie. “You smell tasty, too.”

“That is more than likely the fruit tray and sparkling cider,” he said, giving him a crooked grin.

“Sparkling cider? As in Martinelli’s or,” he made exaggerated air quotes.“‘Sparkling cider?’”

“It’s a berry apple blend, and yes,” Logan nodded. “It is nonalcoholic. You are under twenty-one, are you not?”

Remus waggled his eyebrows, hand resting on his chest. “Are you this exacting in bed?”

“That remains to be seen,” Logan said smoothly and offered his arm free arm. Remus was dressed in low-slung ripped jeans and newly polished combat boots, laces undone but not dragging on the floor. His sleeveless teelooked cropped, the edges curled and revealing his navel and a faint trail of auburn hair. “Do you have a jacket?” he asked, not at all convinced Remus had been listening when Logan had said to dress warmly .

“Got it,” he grinned, grabbing a heavy leather jacket from behind the door and draping it over one shoulder. He took Logan’s arm and followed him out to the hall and toward the elevators, letting his dorm door slam behind him. “So, where to, hot Daddy?”

“I am not a father,” he said, eyebrow raised. “‘Logan’ will suffice for tonight.”

“Yes, Sir,” Remus laughed, drawing closer as they stepped into the elevator.

Once outside, Logan set a brisk pace across the quad. “We are going there,” he pointed to the clock tower on top of the library.

“Oooo,” Remus cooed, tightening his grip on Logan’s arm with a little shiver. “Are we off for a ‘study’ session?” Head tilted to rest on his shoulder, they walked in tandem and he shivered again. “Care to study me?”

“In a manner of speaking,” Logan murmured. Dropping his arm, he unbuttoned his pea coat and threaded Remus’ hand between the back of it and his waist, his own arm draped around the sophomore’s. “You are cold. If you insist on not wearing your jacket, at least stay close.”

“Oh,” Remus began, voice sultry as he shimmied closer. With nothing but his linen shirt between them, Remus’ hand and arm felt cold. “Hmm…” Whatever he’d been about to say melted into a pleased hum. “You’re warm,” he finally said. “Thanks, Professor.”

Arm curled around his waist, Logan nodded as he felt the cold from Remus’ skin disipate with his body heat “You’re more than welcome, Remus.”

They approached the door and Remus frowned at the sign announcing the library closed at 7:30 on Sundays. “Are we breaking in?”

“Not quite,” Logan murmured, producing his school ID and tapping it against the reader. The door buzzed and popped right open. “The law library has extended hours. This will grant us… certain access.”

“Holy fuck, Logan!” he laughed, face blooming in a giddy grin. He bowed dramatically as Logan held the door for him and practically skipped inside the darkened library.

The warmth filling Logan’s chest had nothing to do with his wool pea coat or the blast from the library’s HVAC system. He gestured to a winding staircase to the left. “Ready for a bit of a climb?”

The library was glorious. It was near silent, none of that seemingly ever-present hum and buzz of machines and people doing their best to be quiet, no clacking keyboards or the random dropped book. Even the self-checkout machines near the door were powered down, only the red lasers flickering against empty tabletops.

Most of the lights were turned off, with only a strip of exit lights illuminating the aisles between the sections and stars and streetlights streaming in through the skylights over the reading room’s atrium. A series of lights lined the spiral stairs Logan led them up, and their legs cast long shadows across the main floor below.

Logan had let go of his hand as they walked, slowing his pace and waiting patiently while Remus peered over the railing at the darkened stacks below. “How do you not just come here all the time?” he whispered, his voice deafening in the silent space.

“Who says I don’t?” he smirked back, not in a whisper, but low and rumbly and delicious. Remus could listen to him talk all night. “It’s just a bit further, when you’re ready,” he murmured, gesturing to the top of the stairs and a bright green EXIT ONLY sign.

Taking the stairs two at a time, Remus followed him through the door, smiling at the bit of duct tape covering the latch. “Maybe you do come here often,” he said with a little shoulder dance.

“I like to be prepared,” he answered and let the door close slowly behind them. He gave it a tug to demonstrate to Remus they were not locked outside, then pointed to an open area just to the right of the clock tower. “Let’s spread the blanket there.”

He set down the basket and flipped open the blanket, one of those heavy flannel ones with the plastic cores to protect against the wet ground. Fuck, he really did like to be prepared. Remus eyed the picnic basket and wondered what else he’d prepared for.

“Please have a seat,” he murmured and they sat, looking out over the campus.

“Oh,” Remus breathed. They could see the entire campus from here, the bright yellow ginkgo trees lining the paths, the ornate street lamps dotting the edges and casting thin, warm light against the darkened buildings. To the West was the Sound, big barges looking magical in the dark, just floating lights reflecting off the water. To the South was Mount Rainier, her snowy top illuminated by the full moon.

His fingers itched, wishing he had brought his sketch pad and charcoals. He glanced at Logan, busily organizing two glasses and a platter of strawberries, grapes, and pineapple in front of them. He pulled out the promised bottle—chilled, no less—of Martinelli’s and—

“I noticed how you’d been drawing at the fitness center,” Logan said, passing him a blank sketchbook and a small box of charcoals. The exact fucking brand he’d used before their sexy little law school smack down. “I’ve always enjoyed the view here and I thought perhaps…”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Remus grinned, reaching for the sketchbook and pastels. They were brand new, still wrapped in the plastic film. “Thank… thank you, Logan. D—do you really not mind if I…” He gestured to the sketchbook and the water in front of them. He knew this was a date, right?

Smiling, Logan moved closer to him and draped his jacket over his shoulders, then handed him a glass. “I was rather hoping you would.”

~~~

As the evening wore on, the pair finished their drinks and most of the platter. Remus sketched quickly, filling page after page. He and Ro had made it out to Seattle just before the start of freshman year and he’d never… never seen the sky quite like this. Most nights were cloudy and even he hadn’t yet dared to climb up to the clock tower just for a look around.

He turned to a fresh page again and shifted, keeping the very southern tip of the Sound in his field of vision along with the mountains. Logan moved behind him and, as he drew, Remus leaned back, resting against his chest. A gust of wind whipped at his hair and Remus blew up sharply, hands busy with the pastels.

Humming quietly, more a rumble against his back than anything Remus could hear, Logan tucked his hair back behind his ear. The warmth from his hand sent a little shiver down his back and Remus tore his eyes away from Mt. Rainier and grinned up at him. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“My pleasure.” Logan smiled and Remus shivered again. Moonlight sparkled in his eyes and, before he really thought about it, Remus turned to a fresh page and started sketching him.

“The mountain is back there,” he murmured, tilting his chin toward Rainier. Logan sat with one knee bent and Remus settled between his legs, leaning against him as he sketched a close-up of his face.

Remus grinned. “The view from here is even better.” He started with broad strokes, then tentatively reached for Logan’s jaw. “May I?” he asked, surprising even himself.

“Of course.”

He adjusted the angle of Logan’s chin and nodded rapidly. “Hold just there for a moment,” he muttered before returning to his work.

When he finished the sketch, he closed the book. “No peeking,” he laughed. “I’ll show you after I’ve colored it.”

Logan laughed back, a low chuckle that sent vibrations up and down Remus body. He was practically seated in his lap, with his own legs draped over one of Logan’s. Leaning in, he traced the edge of Logan’s jaw. It was just as smooth and firm under his fingertips as he’d imagined it. “I’ve got lots of things you can peek at in the meantime.”

“Is that so?” he asked, wrapping his arms around him and drawing closer. One more inch and their lips would touch.

“Please kiss me,” Remus blurted out.

“My pleasure,” he murmured and finally—fucking finally—pulled him into a kiss.

Logan’s kiss started gently, tasting his lips as one hand moved up to cradle the back of his head. Fingers gently curling through his hair, he slowly deepened their kiss.

Remus hummed into his mouth, lips parted, and pushed against him, following him as he lay back onto the blanket. When he broke away for breath, Remus mouthed along his jaw and down his neck before sitting up, straddling his hips.

“How do you like it?” he asked, dragging his hands down Logan’s chest and playing at the top of his belt buckle.

“Remus,” Logan shook his head, just a little, then pulled Remus’ hands from his belt and brought them up to his lips. He kissed his knuckles and shook his head again. “Remus, I’m not going to fuck you on a rooftop.”

“Oh!” he said, climbing off. Logan sat up immediately. His face was tricky to read in the dark. But they way Remus had been sitting had made it easy to feel just how interested Logan was. “Why didn’t you just say so? There are…” He waggled his eyebrows and licked his lips. “Other things I can do or we could go back to your place…”

Logan knelt in front of him and cradled his face with both hands. Steel blue eyes stared right into him, thumbs brushing over his cheekbones. “It is quite late,” he said after a long moment. “Perhaps it’s time I walked you home.”

“I had a wonderful time with you tonight,” Logan murmured at his door. He brushed back the curls from his eyes and then his hand lingered, carding gently through his hair.

Remus turned and rubbed his cheek against Logan’s palm, then nipped lightly at the fleshy part of his thumb. “No need for our wonderful night to already end.” He looked over his shoulder at the empty dorm room. “My brother won’t be home tonight. He’s crashing with the rest of the tech crew. Stepping forward, he pressed close, close enough to know what Logan’s body wanted. He looped one arm around Logan’s back, then took a small step backwards. “We have the room all to ourselves.”

His cheeks and lips were flushed a deep pink and, even under the bright hallway lights, Logan’s pupils were big and black, a copy of the night sky they’d just seen. He swallowed hard, then pulled Remus’ hand away from his back and pressed a soft kiss against his knuckles. “I’d like to take you out again sometime,” he said and Remus’ stomach sank to the floor.

He opened his mouth, but he didn’t know what to say. If he didn’t want him, then…

“May I call you tomorrow and we can make plans?” Logan continued in that same low, smooth voice.

“Yeah,” Remus finally managed, heart twisting in his chest. Everything had been going so well. What did he do wrong to get this whole ‘I’ll call you’ bullshit? “Yeah, of course,” he grinned, giving his shoulders a little shimmy. Ro wasn’t the only actor between them.

“Sleep well, Remus,” Logan said, cupping his cheek as he kissed him again, soft and sweet.

It felt like a send-off.

“Yeah, you, too, Logan,” he said and watched him head for the stairs, escaping his view as quickly as he could.

Remus closed the door behind him and sank down onto the beanbag chairs to figure out what the fuck had gone wrong.

An hour later, Remus was no closer to figuring out how he’d fucked everything up and he’d taken to pacing the tiny room in an effort to work it out. Why didn’t he want him? He’d made it really obvious he was ready, willing, and able, and Logan was clearly into it. Had he just revved him up to go be with someone he really wanted?

The scars on his arm itched like a motherfucker and Remus knew if he spent another minute in here alone, he was not going to be able to keep his promise to Ro. He needed some air. While he'd paced, he’d thrown his jacket on the floor. He tooped to pick it up on his way to the door, but then straightened, hand empty.

Fuck it. It’s not that cold out.

He’d thrown out all his clove cigarettes after that fucking party, part of another promise to Ro to try harder. But he didn’t toss his gum, so he shoved his last two pieces in his mouth and chomped hard, then opened the door and fled from his thoughts.

Janus sat in his armchair, half-empty glass of scotch on the table next to him. The room was dark, the diffuse light spilling in from the streetlamp across the road doing little to illuminate the space. The sun had still been shining when Janus had come home from the grocery store and he’d taken out the bottle Glenlivet and shoved the rest of the bag into the fridge to deal with later. He sat down in the living room and poured his first glass.

That was a half a bottle ago.

‘I merely need to be certain I have not committed to anything else before I said yes…’

Logan’s eyes had pleaded with him, explaining with a look what he couldn’t—wouldn’t—with words in front of Remus. Janus knew what he’d been trying to say.

‘You have not.’

What else could he say? What else should he have said? He’d literally told Logan to find someone else to pursue. He’d told him he wasn’t interested in a relationship, he’d told him he didn’t love people. He’d told him he didn’t want to love anyone, that he didn’t want more of that soft warm touch, of those kind eyes looking back at him. That he didn’t want to know more, to learn if his kisses tasted as good as he smelled and to discover what it meant for his heart to leap out of its chest each time Logan smiled.

He’d lied.

Janus tipped back his glass and discovered it was, in fact, completely empty. Fumbling with the bottle cap, he set down the glass and tried again. Just before he got it, the bottle leapt from his hands and hit the hardwood floor, shattering and soaking the area rug with the last of his scotch. Fuck.

It took him far too long to clean it all up and by the time he was done, Janus was more than ready for another glass. He looked up at the microwave clock. If he left now, he could make it to Safeway before they closed.

The only open grocery story was only a block from campus, but the fresh air made the hike shorter than it usually felt. Before long, he was sauntering inside, walking carefully to ensure they wouldn’t turn him away. The cashier hadn’t even looked up to ring him out.

Moments later he strode through the doors, bottle in hand—and right into Remus.

“Oh, fuck, Janus, sorry,” he muttered, grabbing him with those strong, callused hands before he could stumble. Remus had been drawing, charcoal dust under his fingernails and a bit by his jaw.

“No ‘pologies needed,” Janus said slowly, annoyed at the slight slurring in his words. Remus didn’t release him and Janus stared back. He was dressed in a sleeveless shirt and jeans, no jacket. Before Janus could form the words to ask if he was cold, he shivered.

“What are you doing out?” He clutched his bottle to his chest, head tilted to the side. “I thought you’d still be with Logan by now.”

Drunk, standing in the middle of a poorly lit street, Janus couldn’t miss the hurt in Remus’ eyes. He shrugged but didn’t explain.

Janus couldn’t believe what he was seeing. How could Logan have possibly rejected him? He reached out and tapped the edge of Remus’ jaw. “You know what?”

“What?” he huffed out a little laugh, leaning in to his touch like a lost puppy.

“You look like you could use a drink. And I know I sure as hell could use one,” Janus nodded, holding up the bagged bottle. “I live twenty blocks that way,” he said, pointing with one end and offering his arm. “Would you like to join me tonight?”

Remus stared down at the bottle, then lifted his eyes and met Janus’. A shaky smile pulled up one corner of his mouth and hooked his hand into the crook of Janus’ elbow. “Lead the way.”

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naminethewriter · 2 years

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Sk8er Boi

There is a day 8 now! Because I want there to be one. Also this story got into my head and wouldn’t leave, so here you are. Plus I would probably die at this point if I didn’t sneak in at least one Intruloceit fic into these ship weeks 😅 Hope you enjoy! 💛💚

@dukeceitweek

Here on Ao3

Masterpost | Dukeceit Week 2022 Masterpost

Small warning: there is a quick one sentence that lightly implies past self harm

Summary: He was a boy, she was a girl. Except she's now a boy and not too late to reconnect with Sk8er Boi.

He was a boy

She was a girl

Can I make it any more obvious?

He was a punk

She did ballet

What more can I say?

Janus snorted when the song came on the radio as he was putting on his leather jacket. What an ironic song to play at this moment in particular.

Because he used to be that ballerina. And he would be attending the gig of a punk boy he used to know. Of course, they had been way younger than the song insinuated, only around eight years old. And with him it hadn’t been his friends that had been against the friendship – he didn’t really have friends back then – but his parents.

His parents were the classy sort, they loved operas, ballets, Mozart, Beethoven and the like. And of course, they wanted their daughter to share that love. Janus had piano-, singing- and ballet lessons from a young age and there was no television in the house. They really did their best to mold their daughter into the perfect lady.

Too bad that their daughter was actually a boy.

It took him a long time to figure it out. He stopped ballet first; the outfits made him incredibly uncomfortable for reasons he didn’t understand at that time. Then he dropped the singing lessons, he just didn’t enjoy them anymore. He stuck to the piano because he really liked it and it placated his parents.

He was allowed to have his own computer at thirteen years old and from there it took him only a few weeks to find out what being transgender meant. From there he figured out he might be a boy instead. And that realization scared him to death. Because he knew that his parents would never understand.

His phone rang, startling him out of reminiscing. The song was over by then. He picked up.

“Hey.”

“’Sup, babes?” came Remy’s voice over the phone. “You ready to rock?”

Janus rolled his eyes. “How original of you.”

“Shut up! I got us the tickets and am your ride, you don’t get to be rude to me.”

“I’m so sorry, oh great Remy, please have mercy!”

“That’s better.” They both chuckled. “Anyway, I’m about to take off to your place.”

“So you’ll be here in fifteen?”

“Nah, like five.”

“Oh?” Janus grinned. “Did you sleep at Emile’s? Hmmm?”

“Shut up.” This time it sounded way more flustered than the first time. Bullseye.

“You’re gonna give me the detail on the drive, I hope?”

“Yeah, yeah. See you in a bit.”

“Alright.”

True to his word, Remy was there within the next five minutes. Janus climbed into the passenger seat and handed him a thermos full of coffee, the price he always had to pay if Remy drove him.

“Thanks, you’re a dear.”

“I’m the best, I know.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Janus rolled his eyes fondly but didn’t continue the banter as Remy took off towards the club where Remus and his band would play that evening.

“Exited to see your old crush again?” Remy teased a few minutes into the drive.

“I was eight and didn’t even know what romance was yet because my parents sheltered me like baby but sure he was totally a crush,” Janus chuckled.

“Whatever. Doesn’t answer my question.”

“I don’t know. I only knew him for a week before my parents found out where I was going. I hardly knew him.”

“You recognized him like immediately when I showed you the band though.”

Janus shrugged. “He was the only potential friend I had for the next two years. I might’ve been a bit fixated on my memories of him. Plus, his eye color is super distinctive.”

“Sounds like a crush to me.”

“Just drop it already. We’re going there to listen to the music. There’s no guarantee that we’ll even get to talk to him.”

“But you’d like to.”

“I doubt he even remembers me. And I’ve transitioned since then, so…”

“Yeah, but you’ve got a birthmark covering half your face, that’s kinda hard to forget.”

“Look, I’m going into this with zero expectations. I just want to have a fun night with my best friend, okay?”

“Sure, gurl. I can get behind that.”

Remy finally dropped the topic after that, and Janus got to tease him about his enormous crush on Emile that he refused to admit. Other than that, the rest of the drive was uneventful, and they arrived at the club only a little bit late. Which was an accomplished for Remy.

The set was great. Exactly Remy and Janus’ style. Cheap drinks were a bonus – not that Janus drank that much in solidarity with Remy who couldn’t. The people were nice and having fun so by the time the band finished, it was already a great evening for Janus.

They decided to stick around a little longer and soon the band members appeared and started to mingle. Remy elbowed Janus in the side.

“There he is, the one who got away,” he teased, nodding in the direction of Remus who was talking with two girls close by. “Gonna go say hi?”

Janus rolled his eyes and decided not to engage with the teasing this time around. “If those two let him go, sure. They seem intent to keep him there, though.” Indeed, the two girls were seemingly a bit intoxicated and invaded Remus’ personal space without shame. He didn’t seem to mind it all that much though he seemed a bit bored.

Around five minutes later, Janus was at the bar to get the last round of drinks for him and Remy before his friend wanted to go home – or go to Emile’s again, Janus hadn’t gotten a definitive answer yet – when Remus suddenly appeared next to him, ordering a whiskey.

“That was a really good performance,” Janus commented before he could stop himself. Remus’ head snapped over to him so fast Janus was worried he pulled something for a second. But the other just grinned.

“Thanks!” Remus eyes him for a moment, squinting. “You look familiar. Have we met?”

Janus had not expected that, but he nodded. “Yeah, when we were kids. Was before I transitioned though.”

Remus stared at him for a moment longer before he slapped his fist onto the bar. “The ballet kid with the strict parents! They carted you off and you were never seen again!”

Janus chuckled. “Yeah, that’s me. Name’s Janus now.” He held out his hand and Remus shook it enthusiastically.

“Remus, though I guess you knew that already. Man, I didn’t think we’d meet again. Quite a lot of us were worried about you. Parents with stick up their asses often lean towards the abusive side.”

“They aren’t that bad,” Janus waved him off. “They just had certain hopes for me, but they didn’t force me to continue ballet when I wanted to quit, even if they were disappointed.”

“Sure, that’s one thing but what about the trans thing? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I didn’t tell them until I did something… a little drastic.”

Remus raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask further. “And when you did?”

“They weren’t… ecstatic at first. But we went to therapy together for a while with a therapist that I picked out and it helped a lot. They still don’t understand everything about queerness, but they try. When I came out as gay, they were really confused if that meant I liked girls or boys.”

Remus snorted. “Sounds kinda fun.”

“It was entertaining in a way.”

“Well, I’m glad things worked out for you. There’re some guys from back then I need to tell about meeting you, they’ll lose their minds.”

“There you are, Cephy,” a voice spoke up behind them and Remus’ grin became even wider.

“Logie! Hey, remember the ballet girl I told you about that hang out with us for one week until her parents dragged her away?” He pointed at Janus without waiting for an answer. “That’s him!”

The man blinked slowly which gave Janus a moment to look him over. He was tall, taller than him at least, maybe even Remus. He had glasses with piercing blue eyes behind them and black hair. He wore a tie along with a plain black t-shirt. In contrast he had ripped jeans and a denim vest with a variety of pins. A weird combination that Janus found quite pleasant to look at.

“I do recall you mentioning something like that a few times,” he said before turning to Janus. “My name is Logan, a pleasure to meet you.” He held out a hand for Janus to shake which he did.

“You, too.”

Logan nodded before turning back to Remus. “I hate to interrupt your conversation, but Virgil requested you in the back.”

He didn’t look enthused, but Remus stood up nonetheless. But before he left, he pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Janus.

“Call me sometimes. I would love to get a drink with you.” He winked before throwing an arm around Logan’s shoulder and giving him a quick kiss before they disappeared into the crowd. Janus quirked an eyebrow before he looked at the piece of paper in his hand. It had the logo and the name of the band on the front and on the back was an e-mail address as well as a phone number that was not printed. Under it was written:

Text me if you’re interested. The mail is Logan’s since he’s our manager so you can hit him up, too. We’re not exclusive ;)

Janus snorted and pocketed the card. Then he grabbed the drinks and returned to Remy who watched the entire exchange and grinned at him knowingly. Janus didn’t even care if he teased him about it, he just got the contact info of two very hot guys. A very good evening indeed.

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transfemlogan · 1 year

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Sorry 4 the intruloceit spam i want them 2 be friends so bad

#i dont read romantic intruloceit anymore (dont ask me why i dont fucking know. i also dont like romantic intrulogical anymore SHRUGS)#so any platonic intruloceit i can take i Will.#revy.txt

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thegoldenduckie · 5 days

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I dare you to rank all sanders sides ships on a scale of 1-10. At least, as many as you can think up of.

OOO SOUNDS FUN ANON! Ill try to get as many ships as i can (but not that one, you know which one)

Rankings under cut

btw i used fanlore.org to look for all the ships, so idk if each of the ship names are right

AND THIS IS JUST MY SILLY OPINION! IF YOU DISAGREE THATS ALRIGHT THIS IS JUST WHAT I THINK!

Loceit: 8/10 Really good, love it, love the content of it

Moceit: 50/10 MOCEIT IS MY OTP! MY EVERYTHING, MY ABSLOUTE FAVOURITE SHIP

Dukeceit/Demus: 7/10 Its really good! Lovee their dynamic, its a shame we dont see these guys interact in the show much :(

Roceit: 7/10 Love roceit, so many angst and fluffy opportunities, honestly love the angst

Thomceit: 5/10 Honestly im not enthusiastic about sides x Thomas ships, but they can be pretty sweet! This ones really good, i see the appeal

Anxceit: 9/10 AHGG THEM! Sooo good! As platonic, romantic, familiar, and bitter exes! Love it! So many fun amd angsty posibilites!

Logicality: 7.5/10 Its so adorable!! I loveee logicality fanart and fics! I really loved logicality when i first joined watched the show, so it gets an extra .5 for nostagic sake

Intrulogical: 10/10 like DUDE INTRULOGICAL MAKES ME FERAL! Its so silly and adorable and freaky ahsxhjlsxkjkjhsx

Logince: 9/10 aaa its sooo fun! Their chemistry is SO INCREDIBLE

Lomas: 5/10 Again, not big on thomas and side ships, but this ones pretty cute

Analogical: 10/10 YESSS! YES YES YES! I COULD TALK ABOUT THEM FOREVER! THEY MAKE ME SOO HAPPPPYYY!! ESPECIALLY AS QPPS!! AAAA I LOOOVVEEEE THEMMM SO MUCH!

Intruality: 6/10 I like it! Its growing on me! Has a lot of adorableness

Royality: 6/10 Love it platonic, indifferent to it as romantic, and its just very sweet and seeing content of it makes me smile

Momas: 5/10

Moxiety: 6/10 again, love it familar and platonic, with a father son relationship! Honestly dont like it romantic

Platonic Creativitwins: 9/10 Yes! The twins! I love them just being chaotic siblings, or even on good terms and having being good brothers to eachother

Intrumas: 4/10

Dukexiety: 7/10 I like it a lot!!

Prinxiety: 8/10 its reeaally adorble, honestly love it lots

Analogince (Lo/Ro/Virge): 7/10 cute!

Romas: 5/10

Thomxiety: 5.5/10 this ones pretty cute

Logicalceit (Jan/Lo/Pat): 8/10 Its content is soo sweet

Intruloceit (Jan/Lo/Rem): 9/10 YEAHH I LOVE IT!! MAKES ME FROTH AT THE MOUTH

Roloceit (Jan/Lo/Ro): 7/10 Seems loevly

Analoceit (Jan/Lo/Virge): 9/10 At first i was indifferent to it, but a certain mutual made me see how amazing this ship is

Intrualceit? (Jan/Pat/Rem): 5/10 i think thats the name

Royalceit (Jan/Pat/Ro): 5.5/10 havent seen much of it, but points for that sick name

Moxiceit? (Jan/Pat/Virge): 7/10 ive seen some cute suff with this, i think thats the name

Anxceitmus (Jan/Rem/Virge): 9/10 YESS! AAAAA THESE THREEE MAKE ME SOOOO INSANE!

Anaroceit/Prinxieceit (Jan/Ro/Virge): 8/10 so much potential for a toxic yoai polycule

Intrugicality (Lo/Pat/Rem): 5/10

Morolo/Moralogince (Lo/Pat/Ro): 8/10 SO ADORABLE

Analogicality? (Lo/Pat/Virge): 6/10 i think thats the name

Anaintrulogical? (Lo/Rem/Virge): 6/10 i can see the appeal, i think thats the name

Anaintruality? (Pat/Virge/Rem): 5/10 i think thats the name

Anaroyality? (Virge/Ro/Pat): 5/10 i think thats the name

LAMP/CALM: 9/10 LOOOVEE IT! I DO NOT MAKE ENOUGH CONTENT OF THEM! ITS SO ADORBLE

DLAMP: 7/10

DLAMPR: 8/10 YES! ONE BIG HAPPY POLYCULE! THE BEST KIND OF SHIP

Thanks for the ask anon! Again, all these rankings are just my opinion, please dont fight me

#i did not some of these names #just went with the flow and guessed #and i didnt do every ship #very fun ask #asks #sanders sides

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an-organized-confusion · 11 months

Text

This can be platonic, romantic, sexual, or otherwise.

#sanders sides #remus sanders #janus sanders #virgil sanders #logan sanders

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quackkaz · 9 months

Text

do any of y’all have any sanders sides fanfic recommandations?? I would love to check a lot more out :D

things I love in tss fanfics :

hurt/comfort

angst

intruloceit/remus x logan x janus (tbh any ship is good (except r3mr0m obv, and maybe romantic moxiety for me, but it’s fine ig))

seeing roman and remus have a good relationship is really cool!! (but no. r3mr0m.)

LOGAN GOING APESH!T

ideally complete lol

things I don’t mind but not my fav

smut with/without plot

fluff (its cute but I just adore angst lmao so when it’s just fluff I find it a bit boring)

AUs, depending on what kind

things I’d rather not see

r3mr0m (romantically) and maybe moxiety romantically but I don’t really mind

crossovers (they’re just not that much my cup of tea lol)

no beta/alpha sh!t lmao please

#sanders sides #fic rec #fanfics #fanfic #fanfiction #fanfic rec #tss fanfic #sanders sides fanfiction #sanders sides fic

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logan-the-artist · 8 months

Note

I know you just drew my last request, but I wanted to suggest another one. I saw Intruloceit was on your favorite ships list, so could you draw something that’s Intruloceit? The interaction could be anything you want.

HELL YES

i should draw them more smh

#my art #drawing #art #sketch #sanders sides #ts janus #ts logan #ts remus #intruloceit #romantic intruloceit #remus x janus x logan #logan sanders #janus sanders #remus sanders #ty for the adm!!!#also dw there’s no such thing as too mano requests!!!#i love doing these!!

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bestt4tshipbracket · 2 months

Text

Best Polyamorous Ship Group 1 Round 1

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logically-asexual · 1 year

Note

If you’re still doing the ask ship game how do you feel about Remus x Janus?

Ship It

1. What made you ship it?

got there through Intruloceit! I ship logan and janus and logan and remus and consumed so much food content about the three of them that i had to consider janus with remus and it was great!

2. What are your favorite things about the ship?

it’s the only ship that i don’t focus on the getting together part but on the established relationship. i love them as old friends who got together and have always been together, everyone in the group just knows they’re a package.

i love them being evil together, partners in crime. also the mutual respect? this is a ship with zero angst in my head but different from royality in a way that here i do like the zero angst because they can go around creating conflict together <3

3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

i do think i like them most as best friends, instead of in a romantic relationship. i also think they wouldn’t be exclusive and if they dated they would also date others, but of course no one would come close to what they have with each other.

they could be best friends who everyone thinks they’re dating but then they date other people but then the other people are clearly lower in the hierarchy than the best friend so everyone is confused. but that’s just how they are <3

ship ask game

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sandersidesbigbang · 2 years

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The five stages of losing Roman.

Rating: Mature

Pairings: past LAMP (can be read as platonic/romantic/familial/etc.), possible future demus/loceit/intruloceit/DRLAM (though it will focus more on platonic relationship)

Summary/Excerpt:

Roman Sanders is dead, leaving the world around him grieving.

Denial - Patton's family isn't broken. His home doesn't need mending. Roman is gone, but the rest of them are fine... aren't they?

Anger - Virgil loved and lost, he's furiously grasping at the little family he has left. Refusing to let go of them. Refusing anyone to enter.

Bargain - Logan is ready to strike a deal with the devil if it'll bring Roman back.

Depression - Is Remus really allowed to be himself when Roman's gone?

Acceptance - Janus refuses to live a lie.

AUTHOR

@thecrowslullaby The murder wasn’t planned.

BETAS

@8beez

ARTISTS

@dystopiagnome

@talking4the1 As long as I have a coffee in my hand nothing can stop me

#thomas sanders big bang #thomas sanders sides big bang 2022 #tssbb 2022 #sanders sides #thomas sanders sides big bang #tssbb2022 #promo posts

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edupunkn00b · 10 months

Text

Overruled, Chapter 7: Seven O'Clock

Prev - Seven O'Clock - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

Day 7 of @loceitweek, Watch/Clock Tower. I took some liberties with this title given the left turn the characters brought the story at the end there. Can't fight the power of intruloceit!

WC: 3774 - Rated T - CW: some swearing, discussions of sex

Janus had asked to meet at seven o’clock at the café but Logan arrived early to secure their table. And to give himself something to do after he’d finished his conversation with Remus.

The surprise in Remus’ voice when he’d called still squeezed his heart.

Then his heart had cracked right through when Remus had explained it was because he’d thought last night had been their final date.

“Remus…” The other man’s silence had stunned him, as though part of him still expected Logan to reject him. “Nothing could be further from the truth.” He paused, but Remus was still quiet, listening. “I… I am quite fond of you and…” If they’d had this much difficulty communicating face to face, there was no way this conversation would work over the phone.

“Are you free to go for a walk together?” he asked, impulse overriding his sense at the last minute request to get together.

“You want to see me now?” The incredulity in his voice stung and Logan didn’t need much imagination to picture those bright green eyes wide with shock. Or narrowed and guarded with suspicion.

“To talk and… make plans for another date if you are amendable,” Logan explained. “Only if you are not busy. I would understand if—”

“Meet me at my room.” There was a muffled sound like he’d covered the mouthpiece and another voice. After a moment, Remus returned. “Please,” he added.

“I will be there in ten minutes.”

Nine and a half minutes later, Logan knocked on Remus; door, the sketchbook and charcoals from last night tucked under his arm, and a pale green celosia bloom in his other hand. He smiled when Remus opened the door and he offered the flower. “Remus, thank you for—” he started, then stopped, eyes narrowed as he peered closely at the other man’s face. “Remus?” he said. Something wasn’t right.

“Good,” the other man said, unsmiling. “You passed.”

“I told you he’d be able to tell the difference,” Remus said from behind the door. He stepped out and tilted his head toward the nearly identical man standing next to him. “Roman, this is Logan. Logan,” he smiled, gaze lingering on the flower in his hand. “This is my brother, Roman.”

“You didn’t mention your brother was your twin,” Logan nodded, looking between them. Particularly side-by-side, their eyes and mouths were immediate giveaways. Then he noticed how differently they were dressed, with Roman in a flowy, deep crimson top tucked neatly into impeccable dark indigo jeans and matching argyle socks. Remus was barefoot and wore ripped cutoff jean shorts and a sleeveless Green Day hoodie over a long-sleeved waffle knit henley.

“I suppose you don’t get mistaken for each other very often,” he murmured.

“On the contrary,” Roman groaned, rolling his eyes.

Remus reached for the flower Logan still offered. “Okay, can I go out and play now?” he grinned at his brother.

“Not yet,” Roman said, hard green eyes boring into Logan. He squared his shoulders and smiled faintly when he realized he was slightly taller. Then he stabbed a finger at Logan’s chest and frowned. “You make my brother cry again—”

“Ro!”

Roman turned to his Remus. “He did.” He waited until Remus gave a half nod, looking down at the floor, then returned fiery eyes to him. Logan’s heart clenched at the way Remus curled into himself, but he dragged his eyes away to face Roman’s fury. “If you hurt him again, I will find a way to hurt you.”

“I assure you,” Logan inclined his head to Roman. “I was completely unaware the way we ended our evening caused Remus any pain. It was never my intention and if I’d had any inkling…” He turned to Remus, searching his eyes. The surprise in his voice when he’d answered echoed through his mind. “If I’d had any inkling of the impression I’d left you with, I would have elaborated last night. I am truly sorry I hurt you, Remus.

“I intend to rectify that error. To make amends and find a way to make it up to you.” He bowed his head with a little smile and offered his now empty hand. “If you will allow me?”

“What kind of flower is that?” Roman asked, eyes narrowed. Remus examined it more closely, and his face exploded in a grin.

“It is a celosia bloom,” Logan said smoothly, winking at Remus. “It has been known by other names as well, of course.”

“We’re going!” Remus announced, ruffling his brother’s hair as he passed. Roman squealed and scrambled to smooth his locks back into their previous style. “Thanks, Ro, don’t wait up!” he laughed.

Roman pierced Remus with a glare. “You’re not getting out of dinner tonight!” Remus simply waved and Roman rolled his eyes then, let the door slam shut.

Standing together in the comparatively silent hallway, Remus grinned at him.

“We have much to discuss before that sort of date,” Logan murmured with a little smile.

“Yeah, I figured,” Remus shrugged. “I just like fucking with him.”

Chuckling, Logan tapped the flower in his hand. “May I?” he asked. When Remus nodded, he tucked the flower into Remus’ hair. “Lovely.”

“You know this is a cockscomb, right?” Remus asked, waggling his eyebrows and brushing his fingers over the fuzzy petals.

“Mm-hm,” Logan hummed, offering his arm with another little wink. “I grow them in a flower box in my apartment.”

“You are full of surprises, Nerdy Wolverine,” Remus purred, tentatively hooking his hand on Logan’s forearm. His fingers relaxed, then, after a moment, gripped with more confidence.

Logan smiled back at him, then tucked Remus’ hand a little closer against his side. “As are you, Prince Remus.”

They walked together in near silence until they’d reached the Quad. The paths were mostly empty, that quiet period on campus when late afternoon classes hadn’t yet ended and the dining hall wouldn’t open for another hour or so. Remus chewed his bottom lip, fingers twitching and tracing the seams on Logan’s sleeve. His other hand was shoved in his pocket and he watched his feet as they walked.

Finally, he looked up at Logan. “So last night really wasn’t a… a pity date? I didn’t… I didn’t fuck everything up and make you…” His shoulders curled in when Logan stopped walking and faced him. “Make you not want me?” he said, voice uncharacteristically quiet.

“Oh, Remus, no,” Logan shook his head gently and set down the art supplies. He cupped Remus’ cheek, thumb brushing gently over his lower lip to free it from between his teeth. “Last night was wonderful. You were wonderful.”

“But I… I didn’t do anything.” Confusion and sadness battled in Remus’ eyes and it was all Logan could do not to just pull him into his arms and kiss away his worries. But that was exactly what Remus didn’t need in this moment. “You snuck me into the library and bought me such a thoughtful gift and brought a picnic and…” He met Logan’s eyes. “And I didn’t do anything.”

“Remus, you were you,” he said, bringing both hands up to either side of his face. “I got to share a place I love with you. And you shared your wonder with me. And your art.” Remus’ eyes widened, the tiniest spark of a smile lighting up his face. “You were funny and creative and smart and beautiful and…” Logan nodded, breath hitching. “And, yes, very sexy,” he added, voice lowering. “I believe you… perceived that when we were kissing.”

Remus’ cheeks warmed beneath his hands and the memory alone was enough to make Logan’s pulse race. Then Remus’ face fell, confusion returning.

“But… but why didn’t you want to… to be with me? Everyone else I’ve been out with… that’s…”

A pair of undergrads meandered down the path, drawing nearer. Logan scanned the quad before pointing to a large ginkgo tree a few dozen yards away. “May we sit and talk?”

He nodded and walked with Logan toward the tree, a bit of his smile returning when Logan reached for his hand and laced their fingers together. They settled at the roots of the tree, Logan’s back against the trunk, with Remus leaning against his chest. He sighed, a brief, content smile flashing across his face, arms covering Logan’s around his middle.

“Remus, you are worth so much more than a single night of pleasure,” Logan began plainly, leaving nothing to chance, nothing to interpretation. “Yes, I want you.” Remus turned in his arms to face him, and hooked both legs over one of Logan’s. “I am very attracted to you,” he said quietly, rubbing circles against the small of his back. “But not only physically.”

He smiled when Remus met his eyes. “I want to get to know more of you. The parts I’ve already seen, your energy, your humor, your intelligence… your sensitivity… You are remarkable.” He brushed a soft kiss at the corner of his mouth. “I care for you, Remus. And I feel we have the potential to build something truly beautiful between us.”

“I… I’d like that. But…” Remus hung his head. “I might have already fucked that all up.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong,” Logan insisted.

“I…” He shook his head, hiding his face against Logan’s chest. “You didn’t hear what I did yet.”

Logan didn’t let go, simply nodded and murmured. “I’m listening.”

“Well, last night, I… I was really upset and… That’s not your fault, I’m not saying that, I…” Slouched against Logan’s chest, he glanced up and winced. “I went for a walk and I… I bumped into Janus and…”

Logan frowned. “Did you fight with him?”

“Oh, no!” Remus shook his head. “No, no, Janus is cool, I…” He shifted against Logan’s chest, head hung low. “I slept with him. And… I’m… I’m going to see him again.”

“Oh,” Logan breathed. Cold seeped up from the ground and through his skin and he closed his eyes.

‘We won’t all break your heart, Logan…’

“Are you…” Logan’s voice cracked. Had he just made a fool of himself? Had he already lost his chance with Remus? And Janus… He pushed away that thought. One person at a time. While Remus wouldn’t meet his eyes, he hadn’t pulled away and he’d agreed to speak with him. Perhaps…

He took a deep breath and wrestled down his initial assumptions. And his hurt.

“Does this…” He pressed his lips together, momentarily grateful Remus had hid his face. It meant he didn’t need to hide his own. “Does this impact your desire to pursue a relationship with me?”

Remus’ head jerked up and Logan—too slowly—papered a neutral expression over his face. “Logan…” he whispered, reaching up to touch his cheek. “No!” he said firmly. “No, I was afraid it would make you not want me. I… I like both of you,” he admitted.

A low chuckle melted the ice in Logan’s chest and he nodded. “I care for both of you, too.”

“I told him so!” Remus laughed, draping his arms over Logan’s shoulders. “Jannie will be fucking thrilled to hear that!”

Logan nuzzled against his neck with a happy laugh, his sudden joy contagious. He breathed deeply, inhaling the intermingled scents of cloves and cinnamon and, yes, a faint brush of Janus’ cologne. He pulled back at a sudden worry. “Was he concerned your encounter would impact our relationship?”

“Fuck, no!” Remus shook his head and settled into Logan’s arms. “I told him you rejected me last night. No, Janus likes you, too.”

“Necktie?”

Janus’ voice pulled him from his reverie and he looked up before rising to his feet, chair scraping across the floor. He smoothed down his aforementioned tie and gestured to the seat in front of him. “I hope you do not mind, I took the liberty of saving us a table…” He looked around the nearly empty café. “Since it was so busy,” he added, putting on a wry grin.

“Excellent,” Janus bowed his head with a little smirk. “Otherwise, we might not have managed to find a place to sit.”

Despite the tension in his chest over Janus’ ominous ‘we have to talk’ message, despite his certainty Remus’ insistence that their feelings were mutual was—at best—magical thinking, Logan smiled as he sat and picked up his coffee.

“I should order,” Janus said, turning toward the counter. “I’ll—”

“Decaf affogato with cinnamon?” a server asked behind him, a pot of brewed coffee in one hand and a tiny ornate cup of coffee and ice cream in the other.

Janus raised an eyebrow and accepted the cup with a murmured thanks. The server refilled Logan’s mug and returned to the main counter.

“How—” Janus stared down at the cup in his hands before raising it close to his nose. He sniffed the blend of scents, a bit of steam billowing over his face. “How did you guess?”

“You have ordered that twice before during our study sessions here,” Logan shrugged with a smile. The pleased surprise in Janus’ eyes was a shot of warmth through his heart and his smile grew when he sat down across from him. “And you consistently order decaf after five o’clock.”

Cheeks flushed from the coffee’s heat, he stared back at Logan. “I like the aroma,” he murmured, before taking a careful sip. “Thank you, Necktie.”

“My pleasure,” he nodded, and took another sip of his coffee. “I… I know I said this earlier, but I am relieved you are well.” After walking Remus to the dining hall for his promised rendezvous with his brother, Logan finally recognized the timing of Janus’ absence and precisely why he’d slept so late.

“I… I am,” Janus said, almost surprised by his own answer. He addressed his cup rather than him. “Better than I have been in a long time.”

Logan’s heart clenched, an old but familiar ache. Still, he smiled and raised his cup. “That is wonderful to hear,” he said. Taking another slow sip of his coffee, he relished the bitter heat and watched how Janus continued to avoid his eyes.

He was now more sure than ever that the morning’s repeated messages had been what prompted Janus’ request for an audience with him and he blessed Remus’ sweet heart for his assurances otherwise. Whatever it meant now, Logan was not sorry for messaging him. However… irritating it may have been for Janus given nothing was actually wrong, Logan would be hard pressed to apologize for reaching out. And if something had been wrong… he would not have wanted his personal feelings and earlier rejection to have prevented him from seeking to assist Janus when he needed him.

He waited for Janus to savor more of his drink before gently prompting. “While I will always enjoy sharing a coffee with you, Janus… you said we needed to talk?” Logan pressed a smile onto his face, hoping it counterbalanced his own reluctance to have this discussion. The speed with which his initial interest in Janus had morphed, gripping his heart and mind was… unnerving. It would hurt to hear Janus’ anticipated request for him to tone down his attention, but… he supposed it would be for the best in the end.

“I did, didn’t I?” Janus smiled and set down his cup. He blew out a sharp breath and nodded. His eyes danced around the table, moving from his own cup, to Logan’s tie, and back again. Finally, he leaned closer and met Logan’s eyes, face pale and hands twisted together on the edge of the table. The tips of his fingers were white.

“I slept with Remus last night,” he blurted out in a low voice.

“Yes, he told me,” Logan nodded, hiding his face behind his coffee cup. It hurt more than it should. But he didn’t own Remus and Janus had made his feelings clear, no matter Logan’s waning confidence he could somehow demonstrate that whatever he feared would not come to fruition if he took a chance with him. He knew in time the part of him that was genuinely happy for Janus, for both of them, would grow.

“What? He did?” Janus flushed bright red from his hairline down past his open collar. “Why would—When—when did you talk to him?”

“I called him just after five.” It had been the first of many conversations they still needed but Logan was… optimistic. Both that he could find a clearer way to express his needs and desires—and that Remus would, as well. “I was fortunate to catch him before he needed to meet his brother for dinner.”

“But why?” Janus looked dumbfounded. “What prompted the call?”

Logan tilted his head and peered back at Janus, brow furrowed in confusion. “I am dating him.” He leaned in, nodding slowly. “Remus shared with you his misconception that I was not interested in him because I did not consent to sex on our first date.”

“Could you describe that in a more clinical tone?”

He chuckled. “I am game to try.” After a moment, he sobered. “Oh… That means he was not aware of my true intentions when you two were together so you would not have discussed it. I…” While he was confident in both his and Remus’ capacity to care for and, perhaps, eventually love more than one person, he had no reason to believe Janus would feel the same. “I… I realize it is not technically my concern, but I hope this does not prevent you and Remus from—”

“Logan, stop,” Janus interrupted, reaching across the table and placing a hand over his. “While it would be healthy for us to discuss Remus at a later date, that is not the only thing we need to talk about. I am…” He squeezed Logan’s hand, warmth shooting up his arm. “I am relieved you are continuing to pursue a relationship with Remus. I had trouble believing you would simply reject him and…” Janus smiled. “I’m pleased to know you are the man I thought you were.”

Logan’s fingers wrapped around Janus’ and he nodded. “That means more to me than you might realize, Janus.” He smiled, promising himself he would release his hand after just a few more moments. “Thank you.”

Clouds passed over Janus’ eyes and Logan loosened his grip. They both knew Janus had more to share, even if it seemed neither wanted him to actually say it.

“Do you…” Janus began slowly. He hadn’t removed his hand and instead, sandwiched Logan’s between both of his. “Do you remember when you brought me to your apartment after the party?”

Logan nodded. He would never forget the pain and fear in Janus’ voice, nor, selfishly, the way his own songs seemed to have soothed him. “Of course,” he murmured, uncertain where this was leading, but he waited for him to continue.

Janus sighed, and a flicker of that evening’s pain pinched his face. Logan couldn’t help but squeeze his hand and Janus looked up, a bittersweet smile curling up his lips. “Gabe was—” His voice broke and Logan’s eyes widened. “I haven’t said his name out loud—consciously—since I moved here.” He looked down at their shared grip and added in a thin whisper. “Since I fled here.”

Fled?

‘Please, Gabe, please just promise me. Promise me you won’t go out there…’

A protective fire sparked in Logan’s chest and he drew closer. He strengthened his grip on Janus’ hand and brushed his thumb across the back in little swirls and he nodded.

“Gabe was my first love,” Janus continued in a low voice. “We fell in love in high school but I… I was a minister’s son and we had to hide our relationship.” His voice wavered and he moved one hand away to swipe at his face with a napkin. “Gabe—he didn’t care, though. He said it didn’t matter if we had to hide for a while because one day we’d get out, we’d run away and build a life far away from both our families and—” A stifled sob broke through and he covered his mouth with the tissue.

Logan slid his chair to the other side of the table, immediately next to Janus.

After a long moment, Janus lowered his hand and twisted the tissue around his fingers in his lap. “My brothers found us. We’d… In the winter we would meet in his parent’s old workshop and… I… I must’ve done a lousy job of hiding my car and… and they found us and they—”

He leaned against his side and Logan wrapped an arm around his shoulders, drawing him close. Janus curled into him and soon Logan felt hot tears through his shirt. “Gabe was dead before he even got to the ER,” he whispered past another quiet sob.

Logan held him while he cried, stroking his soft hair away from his face and humming quietly. Their server briefly caught his eye, then nodded and closed the table behind them, effectively blocking off their corner of the café. After a long while, Janus took in a shaky breath and looked up. “I promised myself I’d never let myself feel that kind of loss again. That I’d never let myself be hurt like that again.”

He looked down at their intertwined fingers. “But then I met you. And…” Janus sighed, shaky and broken. “And Remus.” He buried his face against Logan’s shoulder. “You fuckers just wouldn’t let me hide anymore,” shoulders shaking in something between a sob and a laugh.

“Oh, we excel at that,” he chuckled, his own throat tight with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry, Janus,” he whispered into his hair, rocking gently. “That’s so much loss.”

“I don’t want to lose anymore…” Janus looked up, eyes still overflowing with tears. “But right now the newest thing I may have lost…” He shook his head, mouth trembling. “Is a chance with you.”

“‘You haven’t,’” Logan whispered, brushing away his tears and smiling softly when Janus’ eyes flashed with recognition. “You’ve done nothing to damage that chance.”

Janus looked back at him, a shaky smile splashed across his face. He shook his head and opened and closed his mouth a few times before finally squeezing Logan’s hand. “Will you take me home?”

Logan’s eyebrows shot up and he started to speak but Janus smiled again. He reached out and brushed his fingertips over Logan’s lips, stilling him. His hand was warm and soft, and the tiny gesture sent heat racing across his skin.

“Not for…” Brow furrowed, he shook his head. “Just to sit together and… and talk?”

Nodding, Logan stroked his cheek and smiled. “It would be my pleasure.”

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