It was impressive, the different foods Logic was able to cook up for them. Basically anything they could want, Logic simply had to find a recipe and off he went. Janus was never good in the kitchen, and from what he'd observed, neither was Virge and Roman. Sometimes Logic would speak as he cooked, verbally walking them through the steps in a clear attempt to teach them something. Maybe one day Janus would actually listen, but usually he got too distracted by Logic's surprisingly toned forearms and slender fingers moving expertly. At least Janus wasn't the worst cook, he thinks Virgil owns that spot - which is probably why he never cooks anything.

Either way, Logic's food is always delicious and makes Janus feel warm and cared for in ways Frank's take out simply didn't. The meal was quiet without Roman's endless chatter. Virgil played on his phone while he ate. Patton avoided his eye contact while they made polite conversation with Logic. As far as awkward meals go, it wasn't the worst Janus had experienced. After dinner, Patton volunteered to clean up. Logic and Virgil moved to the living room to watch some true crime documentary they were both interested in. They seemed stilted around each other; both reaching the doorway at the same time and gesturing to the other to go first. Janus didn't know what had happened while he was gone. And he didn't like being out of the gossip loop.

He followed them, not wanting to be alone in the kitchen with Patton while he did the dishes. Once they were home, Pat went right back to pretending he doesn't exist. Which Janus didn't care about at all. He did what was needed of him. Crisis averted, mission over. No need to dwell on it.

Janus didn't think much about how he sat directly next to Logic, pressing against his side. Logic wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer. On the other side of the couch, Virgil glanced at them, his expression unreadable. Thunder rumbled outside, low and threatening. Shortly after Roman left for his date, the clouds rolled in. And not much longer later, it started to rain. Now the rain was thick, offering a peaceful background noise that Janus soaked up.

"Are you feeling ok?" Logic whispered, and Janus nodded, inadvertently snuggling deeper into his chest.

"I'm still tired from this weekend." Janus said. It wasn't a lie.

Logic nodded, pressing a kiss to Janus' temple. Janus smiled and told his brain to shut up about Ethical traits that didn't want him, and focus on nerdy Sides that did. Logic turned his attention to the TV show Virgil pulled up. Janus closed his eyes, relaxing against Logic's warmth. His heartbeat was strong and steady, lulling Janus into a peaceful state. He could've fallen asleep right there, and he might've if it wasn't for-

BOOM

Janus jerked in Logic's hold, his eyes springing open. He just saw the end of the flashing lightning from the windows, before another terrifying BOOM struck through the air. Janus forced himself to relax after realizing it was just the storm. The rain was harsher, and Janus could hear the whipping of wind through tree branches between the bouts of thunder.

"Virgil, are you alright?" Logic asked.

Janus glanced up to Logic, seeing his worried expression, then he sat up and looked over to Virgil. Virge had backed himself into the corner of the couch, like he was trying to fall in between its cracks and disappear. His wide eyes were locked on the window. Flash, BOOM! Virgil squeezed his eyes shut, and that's when Janus saw the rapid rise and fall of his chest.

Logic stood up, moving to kneel in front of Virgil. Logic placed his hand on top of Virgil's - which was digging into the armrest - and said quietly, "You're safe, you know this. Thunder is nothing to fear."

Flash, BOOOM. Even Janus flinched at that one. Virgil's breathing grew more intense, fast and shallow and heavy all at once.

"Med- med-" Virgil gasped, making a gesture to his mouth.

"Your medicine? In your bathroom, correct?" Logic was standing instantly. Virgil managed to nod, and Logic moved to the stairs. "Janus, can you try to calm him down?"

"O-on it." Janus mumbled as Logic disappeared up the stairs. He scooted across the couch and took one of Virgil's hands - the one he was pressing into his own knee in a way that might bruise. He rubbed the back of Virgil's hand, ignoring the vise-like grip Virgil had on his fingers. His other hand found its way into Virgil's hair, guiding his head to rest on Janus' chest. He carded his fingers through the purple locks and hoped this was enough.

"It's alright, shh, you're okay."

Virgil was still taking short, worrying breaths. Janus tried to slow his own breathing, taking exaggerated deep breaths for Virgil to feel the rise and fall of his chest. "Slow, baby, slow…"

Virgil's breath stuttered and he sucked in a gasp that sounded like a dying man. He managed two or three deep breaths before another awful BOOM ruined the progress. Virgil turned his face and hid against Janus' chest. Janus did his best to hold him close, feeling super useless as Virgil continued to panic.

"Shh, it's just loud sounds, I got you," Janus couldn't be more relieved when Logic returned, practically running down the stairs. Janus watched him run to them, holding out a small box. Virgil came out from his hiding spot in Janus' arms, gasping at Logic.

Logic took the thing out of the box and began shaking it. Then he pressed it into Virgil's unstable hands. Janus watched as Virgil stuck the inhaler in his mouth and pressed down on it. There was a little spritz noise and Virgil inhaled deeply. Janus rubbed his back, glancing between Virgil and Logic as he waited. Logic, panting himself, wouldn't look away from Virgil's face.

Finally, Virgil took the inhaler out of his mouth and exhaled. His hands were still shaking, but when he looked up at Logic, he smiled. Logic let out an audible sigh of relief. Janus continued to rub Virgil's back, mind piecing through what happened. Logic always said Anxiety traits could get panic attacks. The inhaler Virge just took appears to have fixed his panicking. Janus took mental notes, hoping they never get a loud thunderstorm again.

SLAM

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Janus' first thought was they were getting robbed. He jerked up, gripping Virgil closer to his chest. His wide eyes landed on the source of the sound: Roman, in the open front door, wailing like a hurricane siren. He was absolutely soaked. Patton ran in from the kitchen as Virgil jumped up from the couch.

"Are you hurt?" Virge said. Janus wanted to pull Virgil back down, to force him to rest, as he had barely just recovered himself. But things moved too fast, and Virge was already out of his reach.

"Kiddo, what's wrong?" Patton said, voice rising above the sound of the wind.

Roman threw his purse on the floor and SLAMMED the door shut again, causing Virge to flinch. Everyone was standing now, and when he dropped to the ground in a sopping heap, they all ran to him.

"Roman, you need to take deep breaths." Logic was saying, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Can you hear me?"

Roman's face was red and swollen from his crying. His mascara had smeared down his cheeks in fat, black rivers. His hair was stuck to his face, dripping from the rain. The man was a mess.

"Sweetie, did something happen?" Patton asked, frantically trying to wipe away the tears as they came. He mostly just managed to smear the mascara around even more.

Virgil knelt with his hands frozen halfway to Roman, like he wanted to touch, but wasn't allowed. He was the quietest of them, but his voice was a continuous, "Are you hurt? Are you dying? Are you hurt? Are you dying?"

Janus leaned forward and pushed Roman's bangs out of his face. Roman looked up at him, his volume lowering slightly, for just a moment. His skin was cold to the touch.

"What happened?" He asked.

Roman hiccupped, then his expression broke into a wobbley mess. He swatted away their hands and cried, "They broke up with me!"

"Remy and Missy?" Virgil asked, sounding bewildered.

"Oh my god." Logic turned and walked away. Janus almost laughed (either at Logic, or in relief, he wasn't sure), but Roman wailed again.

He knelt closer to Roman and asked, "Why?"

"Because they met their stupid fucking Side and they don't want me anymore!" Roman said, hiding his face in his hands.

"What? That doesn't sound like them." Virgil said, a deep frown on his face.

"Well it did at the restaurant!" Roman snapped at him, he gestured wildly as he said, "And now they're moving to go live with him in Tampaaaaa!"

He broke off into more sobs.

"Oh no!" Patton gasped, "Not Tampa!"

The next thing Janus knew, Roman was taking his hand and hauling him up to a standing position. He was dragging them to the stairs before Patton and Virge could fully stand. Janus glanced over his shoulder as they went up, catching a glimpse of the other's worried looks. Virgil took another puff of his inhaler.

Roman had a vendetta against doors, as he slammed his open with far more force than necessary. Roman let go of him and paced around, running his hands through his wet hair. His little sobs and hiccups never stopped. Lightning flashed in the window, momentarily casting them in a vicious blue light. Janus slowly closed the door behind him, unsure what to do. Why was he here? Why didn't Roman grab Patton? Or fuck, even Virge, he at least knew the exes.

"I-I don't know what I did wrong." Roman said, his voice awfully pitiful.

Janus stepped forward, intercepting his path. He gently took Roman's cold hands and said, "You haven't done anything. You're a wonderful partner. They're the ones that failed you."

Roman glanced between his eyes, his gaze darting, searching for something in Janus' expression. He swallowed thickly, then said, "Jan, I need you to lie to me."

Janus blinked, "What?"

"I don't care if you believe it, I- I just- please-" Roman pressed their foreheads together, closing his eyes tight. His voice dropped to a whisper, "Please tell me I'm worth it. I-I need to be worth something."

Janus didn't think. He just smashed their lips together, wrapping his arms around Roman's neck and pulling him close. Roman's hands clutched his jacket, and Janus could feel his shaking. Janus pushed him backwards until Roman's knees bumped the bed. Roman stumbled and sat on the edge, looking up at Janus with slick lips and wide eyes. Maybe his Side name was Desperate, the way his wet gaze was locked on Janus.

"Oh, dearest," Janus said, smoothly straddling him. Roman's hands went to his hips, which Janus liked a tad too much. He purred against Roman's lips, "You're worth everything to me."

Roman whined, leaning up and connecting their lips. Janus gave the sad Side his full attention, focusing on the feeling of his hands and the warmth of his mouth. Roman's sad whines slowly turned into excited whines. Janus counted each breathy gasp as a victory.

Between kisses Janus fulfilled the request, whispering the most sickeningly sweet phrases he'd ever said in his life. Embarrassing things like "You're important to me." and "I need you." and "Gods, you're so hot." Roman ate it all up, his pupils blown wide and any evidence of grief gone. His cheeks grew pinker with each pleased complement from Janus.

"You're a brilliant actor."

"Absolutely gorgeous."

"So considerate, so sweet."

Roman groaned and gasped and wiggled underneath him in the most intoxicating ways. They removed Roman's shirt, since it was just making his bed damp. No other reason. Janus forgot what the original purpose of the make out session was, simply losing himself to the sensations. As he dragged his teeth against Roman's neck, they both groaned.

"Don't stop," Roman begged.

So he didn't. Janus continued showering Roman in praise and kisses until they both fell asleep under the blankets, curled around each other. Janus wasn't fully sure how they got here, but he was willing to be the distraction Roman so clearly needed. Especially if it meant he got to fall asleep wrapped in the firm embrace of a muscular dancer. Before finding his Sides, Janus doesn't think he's ever fallen asleep being cuddled in his life. Any exciting nights he had always ended with one of them walking home. With Roman's arm wrapped around his waist, practically buckling him in like a seat belt, there was no chance of escape. And weirdly, Janus didn't mind.

Oh, and if he ever sees that asshole in sunglasses again, he's going to be knocked out for entirely non-Sleep related reasons.


Tell me what you think~!