Hello! Sorry it's been a while, and sorry this chapter is shorter. Maybe I'll go back and move some of chapter three up, since that was was long. Anyway, I think it evens out. Next chapter, we're at the party! (Unless my story goes rogue on me, in which case I'm still sorry.)

I don't think this chapter has any warnings. Remus is Remus, so killing dolls is mentioned. Is that a warning? It is now.

Stay safe, please review, and enjoy chapter four!

...

Logan hadn't been expecting Roman to call him; they didn't talk much outside of school. Nevertheless, as he finished his homework, his phone began to vibrate, and when he picked it up, he saw Roman's name flash across the screen. With a slight frown, he answered. "Hello?"

"Hi, Logan." Then there was silence, save for the static coming across the line.

"Was there a reason for this call?"

"Yes! Yes. I was thinking we could do a study group at my house on Friday after school. Does that work for you?"

Logan blinked. Usually he was the one to instigate study groups, not Roman. If it was Roman's idea, it was almost guaranteed to turn into a sleepover in which they barely got their homework done. Still, if Roman thought he needed help, Logan would be happy to provide it. Besides, study group usually meant Patton, the only person Logan knew who could single-handedly restore his faith in humanity. He didn't have anything in his schedule on Friday. And if he was trying to get to know Remus better, the Prince household would be a good place to go about doing it.

"Satisfactory."

"Awesome! I can drive you. Patton'll come on his own later. Bye-" Logan heard Roman start with a bad nickname pun, but the actor hung up before he finished. It seemed odd, Roman being in such a hurry, but most of his mannerisms struck Logan as odd. Theater kids will be theater kids.

Logan took a book down from his shelf and began to read.

…

Janus came in through the front door and retreated to his room before his sisters could notice Remus's absence and get more suspicious of him and his antics than they usually were. At least their parents weren't home yet.

He locked the door and opened the window. Remus was already standing under it, an overflowing bag of craft supplies in each hand. He grabbed a rope-yes, he had a rope, and it's probably better to not ask why-and hung it out the window. Remus tied it around the first bag's handle and gave a thumbs-up for Janus to pull it up. They repeated the process with the second bag, and then Remus was climbing up and falling through the window, deliberately knocking over a stack of books.

Janus bit back a sigh as he began unloading the craft bags. "I thought part of the goal was for Megan and Lily to not realize you're here."

Remus giggled. "Where's the fun in that? It's not like they can get in here."

"It's not like Megan's been threatening to learn to pick locks so she can steal her deodorant back and then some for weeks now, either," Janus said pointedly. When Remus's face fell, he said, "C'mon, it'll be worth it to see the look on Roman's face."

That made Remus perk up again. "Do you think we'll scare Virge?"

"Depends on who sees it first." Janus took out two knives and handed one to Remus-against his better judgement, but he was fairly certain it would only get fake blood on it. He began carving one styrofoam block while Remus worked on the other. "Are you sure you can plant it without being noticed?"

Remus nodded with a bit too much enthusiasm. "Trust me, Dee, I know how to handle dead bodies."

That wasn't the point, but whatever. "I can try to make sure no one gets into it before Roman and Virgil."

"What about that Patton guy? What if he sees it?"

"I could work with that."

They worked in silence for a minute. Janus knew most people would never guess, but neither of them minded the quiet. There was an understanding that came with close friendship that simply couldn't be put into words. Even so, it was inevitably broken.

"Do you think Logan will show up?" Remus asked.

"Of course, he seems like such a party person," Janus drawled, examining his work so far. "Why do you ask?"

Remus shrugged. Once again, his manic energy had dimmed. "He seemed sad. He's Roman's friend, I thought he might be there."

Janus narrowed his eyes. "You know, he's great at science."

"I know."

"Did you want his help to blow something up?"

"Maybe."

"Do you want to do something like that on Friday anyway?"

"No. This'll be plenty of fun. I'll ask Lo about blowing things up some other time."

"Whatever makes you happy."

Remus shrugged.

Janus set his styrofoam block and knife down and put a hand on his friend's knee. "I mean it."

Remus paused. He set his own equipment down and looked up, his wicked grin back in place. "In that case, can we test the miniature guillotine on Lily's dolls?"

Janus shouldn't smile at that. He really shouldn't. But he maybe definitely did. "They should still be having a snack downstairs. As long as we don't touch Prime Meridian, she won't notice."

"Who names a doll Prime Meridian, anyway?"

"Lily, apparently."

"Come on, let's go. We can mess with Roman later."