Janus laid in his bed, hidden deep under the covers. He scrolled through that stupid Shine app on his phone. He only downloaded it because he was bored while waiting for the floors to dry after he had mopped. He wasn't expecting to actually enjoy it.

But whatever controlled his feed didn't always give him interesting content. It seemed to throw any video at Janus and hope he'll toss a 'like' back. Somehow, he had gotten stuck on the cooking side of Shine. Almost every video on his feed was of some cookie or cake with a cutesie fall decoration. Janus wasn't that big of a sweets person, but he had to admit, the end results looked really nice. He liked one video about cupcakes and it was all downhill from there.

All of his videos have morphed into food-related content. He watched as piping bags got filled, cookie cutters were used, and healthy foods were wrapped in bacon. He liked some, saved others, but for the most part he was just wondering why he was getting so many sweets. He scrolled to the next video.

It showed a stage with three Fusions in white aprons, each standing in front of empty counters. A large timer glowed behind them. Janus watched for a moment.

"Can these chefs make three different desserts at the same time? Contestants have to be working on all three dishes simultaneously, or they're out. This week's challenge is-"

Interest lost, Janus swipes to the next video. This one only had spooky music as marshmallow ghost snacks formed before his eyes. The creator of this video must have used some kind of stop motion. Janus liked it and continued on.

The next video was of someone in a suit, speaking directly. Janus was about to scroll until he heard what they said.

"Michigan is rushing to the polls to vote on Hill-19." The speaker said. The video showed a picture of a ton of Established people standing in line. "Hill-19, if passed, would allow most Sides the right to vote in State-level elections."

Janus frowned, sitting up a little. Most states didn't have good - or any 'm- protections for Sides. And fucking none of them allowed Sides any voting rights. Even if it's just for state-specific laws and politics, this could be huge.

"The law would allow all Logical, Ethical, and Creative traits without a corresponding Negative diagnosis to vote, so long as they are over the age of 18 and don't hold a felony."

Janus stopped listening after that. He stared at the screen, but didn't really see any of it. Of course. How could he be stupid enough to get his hopes up? Why would anyone trust the Emotional, Illness, or Negative traits to have a say in the government? Clearly they would all vote for chaos and destruction. Obviously they can't be trusted.

The next thing Janus heard was, "Seven other states will be voting for Sides's right to vote with similar bills. Maryland, California, and Illinois' bills, if passed, would allow all non-Negative Sides to vote."

Janus scrolled on. He didn't really see the next few videos, just mindlessly scrolling as his mind repeated the announcer's voice over and over.

Except for Negatives.

Cookies, sweet rice treats, and cake-

Except for Negatives.

Cake, cake, jell-o, another cake-

Except for Negatives.

"God! Fine! I'll make a fucking cake!" Janus shouted at his phone, throwing the heavy blankets off him.

That was how he found himself in the kitchen wearing Patton's pink apron, with flour up to his elbows. He leaned over his phone, watching how the person on the screen iced the cookies. They twisted the piping bag in a way that made little flowers and Janus couldn't figure out the movement.

He had been making cookies in the shapes of leaves with fall colored icing. But he didn't have any cookie cutters, so he had cut the shapes out with a butter knife. His leaves looked a little squished and when they came out of the oven, they were barely recognizable as leaves. But Janus was having a blast. The instructions gave him something to focus on that wasn't the state of the country or his rocky standing with his Sides. He could watch the video and follow along without fear of what awful thoughts his brain was cooking up. Maybe he was what made Remus so god-awful. It wouldn't surprise him.

Afterall, he hadn't really made any good Fusions. His best chance was with Patton and he couldn't even manage to make a Good trait then. If even Patton can't fix him - how was Janus going to affect their Established form?

"Janus?" A gasp came from the doorway. He recognized the voice immediately.

Janus froze, knowing fully that he had been caught - and by the Side he least wanted to see right now.

Patton was watching him with wide eyes, his mouth still open in a small gasp. The silence hung in the air for too long. Janus lowered the piping bag slightly, briefly glancing away. He muttered, "What?"

"You're baking." Patton sounded far too surprised for Janus' liking.

His face warmed. He snapped, "So?!"

"I- I didn't know you liked to bake!" Neither did Janus. Patton stepped into the room. Then took three more excited steps until he was by the counter, inspecting Jan's work.

Patton beamed down at one of the autumn leaves. "Oh, cookies! Are you decorating them? Can I help?"

Janus tried to not squeeze the icing bag in his hands too hard. "Right, cuz they look so bad I clearly need you to fix it."

"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to… um…" Patton looked down at his hands, his fingers fidgeting with a stray sprinkle. He said quietly, "I thought you did a good job."

Patton could've kicked him in the stomach, it would've felt better than seeing his sad expression. Janus panicked, frantically trying to think of how to fix his mistake.

Patton leaned away from the cookies. "I'll leave you alone-"

"No!" Janus grabbed his hand. He winced as Patton stared down at their hands and quickly shoved his piping bag into Pat's grasp. "I was- lying! I, um, I was actually kind of lonely and would really enjoy your company."

Patton looked up at him, and Janus held his breath, hoping he would accept the lie. Patton's thumb rubbed against the side of the piping bag.

"Are you sure?" Patton bit his lip and Janus realized he mirrored it back.

Clearing his throat, Janus said, "Yeah, come on, it's no big deal."

He gestured for Patton to come closer and ice a cookie. As Pat stepped into his space, Janus was overwhelmed by the sweet, almost floral, scent that constantly surrounded Patton. Janus held his breath as he watched Patton expertly ice the cookies. The bright coloring easily spread across the cookie in an even covering. Janus blinked, wondering how the fuck he made it so smooth. He bit the inside of his cheek when Patton switched icing colors and added a perfect little flower in the center of the orange leaf. Janus glanced over at his own shitty flower, which was more like an unrecognizable blob of buttercream.

How are you so good at this? Janus wanted to ask. But the answer was obvious, Patton was good and cookies were good, so Patton would be good at cookies. It was as obvious as the tides. They didn't need Janus to be good at baking. Patton already had that covered.

"Thank you." Patton said quietly as he began to outline another smookie (that's smooshed cookie). It was the first time either of them spoke in the few minutes it took him to outside Jan.

Janus was glad they weren't looking at each other anymore. "I told you, it's not a problem. They're just cookies-"

"No, I mean," Patton stopped icing to smile up at him. Janus almost missed the words, he was too focused on the warmth radiating off of Pat. "Thank you for doing all the chores around the house."

Janus blinked in surprise. God, that conversation was almost more embarrassing than this one. He didn't realize Patton had no clue who was keeping the house tidy. It certainly wasn't Roman. Virgil could be a bit of a slob, too. Logic was constantly busy with all his schoolwork. Janus was here every damn day anyway. It wasn't like he was a functioning member of society. He couldn't even afford to pay for his own room. The least he could do was push a vacuum around.

"Oh." Janus glanced away. "Uh."

"Really!" Patton got closer, and Janus felt the skin along his neck turn hot. Patton gently grasped Jan's wrist, sending sparks up his arm. "It's a lot of work and without you doing it, it would pile up until me or Logic could get a chance, and …" Janus swallowed heavily as Patton gave his wrist a little squeeze. "Thank you."

"Of course." Janus mumbled. It was all he could think to say.

Patton gave him one more smile and then turned back to the cookies. Janus rubbed his wrist, feeling like his world just tilted 90 degrees.

"Oh! Hey, Virge!"

Janus looked up to see Virgil standing in the doorway, an eyebrow raised. Janus felt heat return to his cheeks at full force. Virgil glanced from Janus to Patton as he walked into the room.

He gave Patton's cheek a kiss, which Pat giggled at. He said, "Hey guys, what's goin' on here?"

Virgil shot Janus another teasing, knowing look. Janus didn't know what the fuck Virge thought he knew - nothing was going on.

"Oh, Janus wa-" Patton started with a smile.

Janus interrupted, "Had asked Pat to make cookies. Because I'm craving them. And Patton is a Good Side, so he's making them for me."

Patton turned to him, giving him a little pout. Jan's heart squeezed painfully at the sight of it. He tried to ignore it.

"That's nice of you, Pat." Virgil said, wrapping his arm around Patton's shoulder.

Patton gave Janus another long look before he hesitantly said, "Well, you know me. I try to be pretty sweet."

Patton held up his icing bag for emphasis. Virgil rolled his eyes and took his arm back off Patton's shoulders. He muttered, "Okay."

Janus covered his grin with his hand, but it wasn't enough to hide the unattractive snort sound he made. Patton's head whipped around to watch Janus try to compose himself.

"Was that a laugh?" Patton asked, astonished.

Virgil was frowning, "Yeah, what was that?"

"Did you laugh at me- my pun?" Patton's wonder was morphing into excitement as it became clear Janus was hiding a smile.

Janus lowered his hand and said as blank-faced as he could, "No."

"I didn't know you like puns!" Patton said.

"I don't." Janus crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. He really blew his cover on that one.

Virgil let out a chuckle and said, "Well, I need to shower. So you two have fun with all this." He gestured to the mess of powdered sugar and flour on the counter.

"Bye, Virgey." Patton gave him a big hug before he left. Janus glanced between Virgil's retreating form and Patton's happy profile.

Patton's smile never failed to make something in Janus stir. He couldn't help but stare, and then felt all kinds of disgusting for doing so. He forced himself to look away and grab a cookie for himself.

He had four different icing colors made already, with more food dye if they wanted more. Janus grabbed the yellow icing bag and started on his cookie. The icing came out in a very thin line that Janus couldn't control well.

"Can I-"

Janus jumped.

Patton held both his hands up in front of his chest. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!"

"You didn't scare me." Janus lied.

"Oh." Patton watched him for a moment.

The hairs on the back of Jan's neck stood on their ends. His mouth grew dry. Fuck, why does Patton always freak him out like this?

"Um, can I show you?" Patton said, gesturing to the icing bag in Jan's hand. He continued, much quieter, "You're doing it wrong."

Janus grit his teeth, and forced his embarrassment down. He said as calmly as he could, "By all means."

Janus wasn't expecting Patton to gingerly take his hand in his own. His fingers repositioned Janus' grip, moving his hand further up the bag. He twisted the bag, pushing the icing further down. Then he took Janus' other hand and placed it near the tip.

Janus was trying to keep his hands from shaking. Electric spark danced alive on his skin, heating each finger, each knuckle, where Patton touched. He could feel his heart racing in his chest, and again - nothing was happening! What was wrong with him?

"Use both hands," Patton said quietly. "Twist here, and use your wrist to steady yourself, like this."

Patton watched as Janus attempted to ice his cookie. His nerves were vibrating with how close Patton was to him.

"Thank you for letting me join." Patton said quietly. He gave Janus a hesitant smile. "I had fun."

Janus' ears heated. As well as his cheeks, and his neck, and his fingers. Janus was certain his entire body was the same shade as Roman's hair.

He tried to hold back his smile, but he knew it came through obviously. Patton's smile widened. Janus reached for a new icing color. But Patton had reached for the same one, at the same time. As their fingers brushed, they shared a small glance. Janus pulled his hand away and cleared his throat.

"It's just cookies." He responded. "I don't mind some help with cookies."

Patton picked up one of Janus' shitty ones. He said, "Maybe the next time I feel a little crummy we can make some more."

Then he took a bite, a smidge of icing smearing near his lip. Patton covered his mouth and giggled. Janus was so done for.