Roman ran his hands through his hair, checking himself in the mirror. His shirt was crooked, and not in the sexy way. He tucked it in, but then he looked too stiff. He pulled it out again before putting on a red athletic jacket.
"Kai!" He called, turning around to look at his ass in the mirror. His favorite dark jeans; they've never failed him before. Kai's head poked into his room, squinting in the light. Roman asked, "How do I look?"
"Good, man." Kai said, he pointed to his hair, "Your hair's a mess."
Roman whipped around and inspected his mane, "I knew it!"
He continued pruning; plucking and pushing his hair into place. Kai hovered in the doorway, before stepping closer and asking, "Hey, assuming this Vogue person even is my fusion…"
"Mh?" Roman glanced at him through the mirror, before getting distracted by his own eyes. Should he wear mascara? What would Logic and Patton think? The next thing he knew, he was grabbing his mascara brush.
"How would I even talk to them?" Kai asked, crossing his arms, "I mean, I can't just put my picture online and hope that they see it, right?"
"Theoretically," Roman said, pulling the brush across his eyelashes. "People will like your post, 'cuz you look the same." He put the brush back into the cap before looking at him with a smile, "And then they'd see it."
Kai shook his head. "I don't know."
"Well, what else could you do?" Roman asked, "Do they have meet n' greets?" He gasped suddenly, "You could extravagantly reveal yourself in the crowd!"
"Uh, no. Not yet, I guess they just became a fusion." Kai said, watching Roman put on his make up. "Do I just wait until they have something like that?"
Roman shrugged and said, "Congratulations, you just became AlwaysVogue's number one fan."
Kai shook his head, chewing on his thumb. He didn't look at Roman again as he ducked out of the room, saying, "Have fun on your date."
Roman grinned at his reflection. Finally satisfied with what he saw, Roman stepped away from the mirror. He turned in a circle, watching himself with a grin. Oh yeah, he's gonna woo the pants off those two tonight.
To say Roman was excited would be an understatement. His heart soared with each step. Thrill and joy pumped in his veins. All day, through boring classes, he had been imagining his Side's smiles. His skin burned to touch Logic again.
Logic opened the door to his apartment when Roman knocked. He kissed his cheek upon seeing him, his lips flashing hot on touch. Logic gasped and pressed his hand to his cheek as Roman stepped past him into the apartment. He grinned as he saw Patton, standing off to the side.
He slipped out of his shoes, then sped to Patton with open arms. "Patton! It's been too long!"
Roman hugged him, then took his hands in his own, rubbing his cold fingers. Patton smiled and said, "It has, hasn't it?"
"Um, Roman, we actually have something we need to tell you." Logic said, approaching the two of them. He was watching Patton warily, and Roman glanced between them. Patton's shoulders were square, his chin tilted up, even as he didn't meet eye contact. Logan sighed as he said, "Patton and I fused, and well-"
"My name is actually Jan." He said, holding out his hand, "Apologies for the confusion."
Roman smiled unsurely, shaking his hand, "Okay?"
Logic shook his head, his tone warning, "Janus."
"And I'm not a Morality Side." Janus said, his grip tightening in Roman's hand. He was staring at Roman's chin, his jaw locked.
"Uh-"
"Janus, please." Logic said, his hands behind his back, "Like we practiced."
Janus squeezed his eyes shut tight at the same time his grip on Roman's hand turned deadly. Roman winced, his body folding in half as he tried to pull his hand free. Through his teeth, Janus said, "I'm a Deceit Side. I'm so- sorry I lied."
Logic pulled Janus away from him, and they let go quickly. Roman stood up and shook his hand before stuffing it under his arm. He stomped his feet as he said, "That hurt!"
"I said a firm handshake." Logic grumbled to Janus, who was breathing hard.
Roman stared at the Side, suspicious. His hand throbbed as he asked, "So is everything he says a lie?"
"No." Janus said.
"Is…" Roman glanced at Logic, "Is that a lie?"
Logic shook his head, still holding onto Janus' shoulders. "No, from what I can tell; he can still speak truths."
"So how do we know when he's lying?" Roman asked, feeling Janus' gaze on his skin.
Janus rolled his eyes and interrupted, "I just love when you talk about me like I'm not here."
"Apologies, Janus." Logic said, finally letting go of him and stepping away. Roman shifted on his feet nervously, glancing between them again. Logic responded to his question, "We can't really know when he's lying. But I asked him to not lie in front of us, and he's been doing impressive so far."
Janus pressed his hands against his eyes, his face red. "I'm not even doing a good job! I almost broke Roman's hand!"
"But you're trying, Janus." Logic said, just barely loud enough for Roman to hear. Roman watched as they shifted closer again, and Logic spoke in a whisper. Roman felt his throat tighten as Janus took Logic's hand.
Why did he suddenly feel like he was missing out on something? And how could Logic be so- so okay with being lied to? Roman cleared his throat, watching as Janus gave Logic a tiny, manipulative smile.
"I don't get it." Roman said, causing the two of them to jump. They looked to him in surprise and Roman asked, "What happened while I was gone?"
"Our fusion is named Polemical." Logic said, blinking in surprise. And that was about the least helpful information Roman could've gotten. He doesn't know what pole-men do.
Janus stepped forward and said gently, "Logic and I were having a debate - like a game - with his friends and they cornered me into fusing. And Logic discovered my identity. And…" He licked his lips, looking up at Roman hopefully, "And now I'm sharing it with you."
Roman squared his shoulders, asking firmly, "Where did you gain your scar, beast?"
"Wow, rude." Janus said in a surprised scoff. He held his hands up and said, "From a previous fusion. He hurt me on the way out."
Roman squinted at him, watching the other side hold his breath. "How can I trust you?"
"Because why would I lie?" Janus asked. He gestured between them, "We're Sides, you can fact-check me any time we fuse."
"You lie because you are Lies." Roman said, pointing at him, "That's what you said! That's what you do!"
Janus visibly flinched, his expression hardening. With a clenched jaw, he seemed to be thinking of a response. Logic stepped between them, a hand on each of them, "Okay, okay."
Roman saw fire and anger flicker in Janus' eyes; sure the same was reflected in his own. Breathing hard, he leaned into the pressure of Logic's hand. This wasn't how this day was supposed to go.
"Roman, do you trust me?" Logic asked.
Roman looked up at him and said, "Yes."
"Then trust that I will decipher when Janus is telling falsehoods." Logic said, a plea in his voice. "I am working with him to learn more about his trait. And I think it's unwise to reject your own Side."
Roman scowled, and gave Janus a final once-over. He stepped back, watching the other do the same. He grumbled, "Fine. But I'm watching you."
"Of course," Janus said, "I'll be no match for your observation skills and quick wit."
Roman brightened slightly before realizing he must have been making fun of him. "Hey-"
"Janus." Logic placed his hands on his hips.
Janus flinched as if he had been struck and he said, "I mean- I'll be nice."
Logic watched him for a few seconds, before pulling out a notepad from his pocket. He took a couple notes before turning towards the kitchen. "If that's all done with, I've prepared a meal for us."
Roman shared a short glare with Janus. He stepped close enough to whisper, "I've got my eye on you, villain."
"Acting is just lying for the scared." Janus whispered back. He raced into the kitchen, leaving Roman alone.
Roman gasped and followed after him, determined to find a better come back.
He entered the kitchen to find the table decked out like Thanksgiving day. A plate of chicken rested in the center, surrounded by smaller dishes of fruits and veggies. Roman spotted mashed potatoes and a tossed salad among the line up. He let out a long whistle.
"I didn't realize we were feasting like kings tonight." Roman said.
"Forgive me, Janus said this was too much and I…" Logic glanced around the table, "Must have misjudged his tone."
Janus snorted and sat down in the middle seat. He began setting up his plate with ease, ignoring the other two.
"No, no, there's nothing wrong with it." Roman said, sitting at one head of the table. "I like food. I just mean, I wasn't expecting it."
Logic ran his hands down his shirt, smoothing it out. How does he get his shirt so smooth? He said with a slightly nervous laugh, "Well, it's imperative that you eat from every food group. It's proven that those with a balanced nutrition have healthier lives overall."
Roman nodded, taking a bite of his potatoes. He hummed in approval at the taste and continued to listen to Logic ramble about food pyramids.
At some point, Janus caught his eye. Roman could see caution on his face, and although they weren't speaking, Roman felt a sense of understanding with him.
Logic had picked his stance firmly in the middle. Any arguments they had should be done outside of his earshot. Besides, Roman was one of the smartest guys he knew; he'd be able to spot Janus' trickery from miles away.
"I like your jacket." Janus told Roman as they picked up the table after their meal. Roman smiled, glancing down at his outfit.
"Thank you, I thought you wou- hey!" Roman squinted at him. Logic had left the room for a moment, and Roman wouldn't put it past Janus to start things. The little liar. "Was that a lie?"
Janus scoffed, putting his cup in the sink. "As if I need to waste my time making up complements." He turned and looked at Roman slyly, "I have other hobbies, you know."
"So…" Roman glanced around again, as if Logic would pop out of thin air. "Why did you pretend to be some guy named Patton?"
Janus hesitated, then took the plate out of Roman's hands. "I suppose, it was like playing a part. A role in a show, if you will. But I had to make up all the lines."
"Like improv?" Roman asked, his eyebrows pinching downwards.
"Yes!" Janus put the plate in the sink and continued, "And everyone knows, you can't say 'no' in improv."
"Right." Roman said, smiling. He knew all the rules of the theater, of course.
"So once I had already established this character for myself," Janus gestured with his hands before dropping them down to his sides. "I just had to carry on!"
Roman rubbed his chin, nodding. "Okay, so what was the story with Patton? Why a Morality Side?"
"Well, I suppose I took a little inspiration from a former fling." Janus said, as if he didn't just drop the juiciest gossip ever. He met Roman's eye and let out a small laugh, "Okay, I'll tell you."
Roman found himself leaning in, entranced by Janus' showmanship. Expressive, with a voice that danced around each word. Janus told a tale of great woe; of a hero who had been mistakenly deemed the villain. A real 'Beast in the Castle' situation.
"And dear, beloved, Patton," Janus finished his story by placing the last dish in the sink. "Wasn't quiet as wholesome after all."
He raked his hand across his face, hovering just over his scar. Roman's eyes widened as he imagined the scene: thunderous and raining, there's an airplane in the background, and everything's in black and white. He gasped and took Janus' hands.
"Why didn't you just tell me!?" He glanced away and gestured vaguely as he continued, "Yes, I was avoiding you and Logic and was busy with the show, but come on!"
Janus shrugged, unable to meet his eye. "I guess I just wasn't sure if you guys were brave enough to be my friend."
Roman felt his heart lurch, and he could hear a little voice in his head going 'awww'. That's when he realized he was falling for it again. Roman groaned and looked away from Janus, stomping at the ground. How much of it was just Janus acting? Why couldn't Roman figure out his tell? With a huff, he turned back to the other.
"I'm super brave." Roman said, pulling Janus closer to himself. He watched Janus' expression turn into a glare. Roman saw his eyes flicker back and forth, watching his own. "And I'm super smart, too. So Logic and I are no match for your slick tongue."
Janus stuck his tongue out and managed to get Roman's cheek. He stumbled backwards, wiping at his cheek. Janus laughed, a mean sound that quickly cut off when Logic walked into the room.
Roman rubbed his cheek and stepped closer to Logic, still watching Janus. He took Logic's hand and said, "We need to keep an eye on him. He's tricky."
"Isn't he?" Logic responded, sounding, uh, not upset about it at all? Logic's hand slipped out of his grip as he approached Janus. Roman's hand felt cold, watching him go. He swallowed around a tight throat and listened as Janus complimented Logic on the dinner.
Logic smiled that pleased, tight-lipped grin that he only does when he's proud of himself. Something in Roman's gut twisted. This didn't feel right at all.
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