Janus laid on his bed, alone in a silent room. The only noise was the occasional clack or shuffle from his crabs. He watched them from his spot on the bed, barely able to see their shells moving. Hermit crabs famously change their shells as they grow, moving into newer, roomier ones. Janus was growing his own hard exterior - one itching, burning scar at a time. His shoulder doesn't hurt anymore, although the skin is dried out as all hell. No amount of lotion or aloe would hydrate the damaged skin. But at least Janus could survive bumping into the wall without feeling like he was made of glass.

That was one less thing to worry about, at least. Janus felt like emotions were filling up inside of him and he couldn't let them out. He'll keep collecting this tension in his chest until either it overflows or he explodes. He wasn't sure which would happen yet. He could ask Logic.

No, he shouldn't ask Logic. Logic was so pissed at him. He was trying to act like he wasn't pissed; like he was disappointed, but Janus knew that meant the same thing. Maybe Janus was misdiagnosed. Maybe he was supposed to be Disappointing.

What frustrated Janus the most was that he wanted to be Good for Logic, but everything kept tumbling backwards at him. Janus didn't know how to deal with his thoughts without drinking, and he couldn't handle his heart without lying about it.

A knock at his door disturbed him from his brooding. Janus made a noise of affirmative and the door opened a second later. Jan sat upright in bed when he saw his Side enter.

"Virge!"

"Hey. Can we talk?" Virgil asked.

Janus felt his heart leap to his throat. Here comes the part where Virgil admits he's not interested in Janus anymore. He stiffly slid off the bed and met Virgil in the middle of the floor.

"Of course." He said, keeping his nerves out of his voice.

Virgil glanced around the empty room before he pulled Janus close to him. Jan tensed up until he realized they were hugging. He fully embraced Virgil back. He hid his face in Virgil's shoulder and closed his eyes. Janus breathed as the warm pressure of being held surrounded him. He bit the inside of his cheek as they pulled away.

"Sorry." Virgil said, dropping his arms. He wasn't looking at Jan as he mumbled, "Missed you."

Janus wanted to whisper 'I missed you too', but the words were too heavy for his tongue to lift. Instead he just curled his fingers around Virgil's soft hand and smiled when Virgil squeezed back.

He said, "It's quite alright. It's important for Kyler to get his exercise."

Virgil didn't laugh at the joke. He didn't even do the lip twitch thing. Janus tried to not take it personally. Virgil's expression grew distant, and Janus didn't like it.

"Hey." He said, squeezing Virgil's hand again.

Virgil blinked and rubbed his face. He muttered, "Sorry. But Jan, I-"

Virgil cut himself off. Tried again. Took a deep breath. Janus waited, his jaw locked tight.

"I mean," Virgil said, "I know I don't really remember. But I- I fought tooth and nail to get back out."

Janus felt his throat tighten. He tried to push his emotions away. He gave Virgil a knowing smile, "Well. Not nail."

Virgil startled him. Janus felt himself jump and his breath stutter as Virgil's fingers gently slid along his cheek. He cupped the scar easily and gave Janus his own sad smile.

"No," Virgil agreed, gently rubbing his thumb along his cheek. "Not nail."

Janus felt the need to clarify, "I wouldn't want you to-"

"No, I know." Virgil's smile grew warmer, and so did Janus' cheeks. He said, quietly, "But it crossed our mind."

That. Was a conflicting thought. Janus hated the idea of Kyler being in pain, physically or emotionally. But there was something flattering about the intensity of that desire. The idea that someone would rip themselves apart to return to him, Janus. He couldn't wrap his mind around it.

His cheeks felt warm. "Um."

"That's sick." Virgil said, eyes on Janus' mouth. It took him a moment to realize what he was talking about. The little bead clacked against his teeth.

Janus felt his face get even hotter. He stuck his tongue out just enough to show off his new piercing. Virgil's lips twitched in an almost smile.

"You know what would drive Logic crazy?" Virgil said, "If we all got piercings. Roman would do it if we dared him. I bet we could convince Patton to get earrings."

Janus snickered, imagining Logic's irritated expression. "He wasn't happy with my tongue, that's for sure."

"I like it." Virgil said it so casually that Janus wondered if he imagined it. He tried to not immediately look over at him. Virgil shrugged and said, "I've been debating getting a lip ring. Really I'm just too lazy at this point."

Janus snorted, "Your best friend is a piercer."

"I know." Virgil rolled his eyes in a laugh. "I guess I just like tattoos more. And I've been slacking on that front."

"We have time." Janus said. Virgil smiled. The silence that hung in the air wasn't exactly comfortable, but wasn't exactly uncomfortable either. Janus could only focus on Virgil's hand still in his. He gathered his courage, pulled Virgil's knuckles up to his lips, and kissed his skin gently.

Virgil's pupils dilated, and Janus considered that a good sign. He tugged Virge a step further into the room.

"How's your back?" He asked.

Virgil shrugged, and he didn't wince at the motion, which thrilled Janus. He said, "Feels weird. Not painful, but weird."

"I could…" Janus gestured to the bed vaguely. Virgil smirked at him teasingly, so Janus dropped his hand and stuck out his tongue. Virgil giggled. In the span of four seconds, he so easily stole Janus' affections. Jan heard that giggle reverberating inside his chest, warming him from the inside out.

Virgil sat down on the edge of the bed and said, "Actually, I'd like that."

Virgil took off his shirt easily and laid down on his tummy. Janus grabbed lotion from his desk and knelt beside him. He scanned the scar, inspecting its state. It looked a little worse than Janus', but if Kyler couldn't reach behind him, that's not too much of a surprise.

Janus applied lotion gently, slowly. He knew one day would come where Virgil wouldn't need massages anymore, so he tried to make this one last.

"You're good at this." Virgil said, eyes closed and voice low.

Janus slid his hand across skin, simply happy to be able to touch someone. He didn't realize how much he enjoyed hanging off Roman all the time until he couldn't do it anymore.

"Thanks." Janus mumbled. "Saw how to do it online."

"I'm alright now." Virgil said after another few moments in silence. Janus internally cursed, but pulled his hands away.

"It doesn't hurt anymore." Virgil said, slowly sitting up. Janus spotted back to give him room. He wiped the remaining lotion on his bedsheets, not liking the sensation.

"That's good." Janus tried to avoid touching Virgil again, but he still reached out while Virgil's back was turned.

"Kyler saw it." Virgil's voice was oppressive in the silent room. "A lot."

Janus' hand froze, fingers hovering just above skin. He glanced at the back of Virgil's head. The purple was fading from his hair; leaving behind a dark burgundy color.

Janus spoke softly, "I would be surprised if he didn't."

"It went alright." Virgil rubbed his face. He made a small noise. "I think."

Janus leaned forward to look at him better. "Are you okay?"

"Fine. Headache." Virgil said. "I've been really tired since waking up- er, unfusing."

"Do you want to rest?" Janus said, "I'll leave you alone-"

Virgil turned to fully face him. He shook his head and said, "Can I stay here with you? Alone feels too much like Fusion right now."

Startled, Janus nodded. "Of course. Um. Make yourself at home."

Virgil smiled, a breathtaking sight. He gave Janus a chaste kiss. "Thanks."

"Mm-hm!" Janus didn't trust his voice at the moment.

Virgil laid back down, this time resting his head on the pillows. Janus shifted to lay with him, staring at the Side that came back. People don't ever come back to him.

"Fucking sucks that I missed October though." Virgil muttered into the mattress, blissfully unaware of how he has affected Janus.

"There will be other Halloweens." Janus spoke in the soft security of knowing - hoping - he would be beside Virgil for forever. There would be other chances. Janus folded his fingers around Virgil's, enjoying the perfect way they slotted together.

They had time.