Story Summary: Written for Intrulogical Week 2022 @intrulogicalweek
Logan is stuck in Limbo until the Afterlife Registration Bureau processes his case so he can properly move onto a afterlife, whether that is heaven, hell, reincarnation or something else. While wandering around aimlessly, he’s approached by a demon that introduces himself as Remus and offers him a quicker way to the next life.
Content Warnings: Chess
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Logan hadn’t left his apartment since Roman had brought him back. He had tried not to pay too much attention to his watch – it brought bitter reminders – but he couldn’t help but notice the days go by. He passed the time by reading the remaining books from the library. Those, too, brought up memories he’d rather not recall but he refused to waste learning something new he might never again have a chance to learn because of – uhg – feelings.
And then the letter came. The Afterlife Registration Bureau had finally processed his case. They offered him reincarnation. Now he had a choice to make: Either he accepts the ruling and leaves Limbo, or he appeals for reconsideration. He had a good chance of getting a different option if he were to do so, there weren’t any concrete reasons listed for why the had made their decision, so his protest might make them change their mind. But that would mean another long time waiting in Limbo.
He wasn’t sure if that was worth it. Logan was very satisfied with his old life; he didn’t really want to lose it and gamble on a new one that might leave his new self miserable. Plus, he now knew that every bit of knowledge humans had ever possessed and written down was stored here. He could get an answer to all of his questions.
But the appeal wasn’t a guarantee, and he really didn’t want to spend more time in the empty apartment and lifeless sector.
There was a knock on the door.
Logan furrowed his brows. Who could that be? Roman maybe, there could still be consequences for his sneaking into Heaven. He hesitated.
Another knock.
He went to open it. He doubted that they would let him off the hook anyway, so he might as well cooperate. But as he pulled open the door he wasn’t met with an angel.
The man was dressed in rather formal clothes, black slacks, a yellow (ironed) shirt with a short black cape across his shoulders. His long blond hair was braided and partially hidden under a black bowler hat. He smiled at Logan who kept a tight grip on the door handle, ready to close it if he needed to.
“Can I help you?” he asked the man.
“I do hope so. I am looking for a Dr. Logan Croft.” The man’s voice was smooth as honey, but his words kept Logan on edge.
“I am him. Why are you looking for me?”
“Wonderful. Let me introduce myself: My name is Janus.” As he said that he took off his hat, revealing two red horns on his head. He held the hat to his chest and gave a little bow before placing it back.
Logan froze. This was Remus’ boyfriend. He should’ve guessed.
“May I enter?” Janus asked, a pleasant smile on his face. Logan didn’t trust it.
“Why?”
“Because I find talking in the door rather unpleasant.”
“No, why are you here? Did Remus send you?”
“Yes and no.” Logan frowned but the demon continued before he could interject. “I am here to retrieve the books he lent out for you, but he didn’t ask me to do that directly. He simply cannot bring himself to do it.”
“I can get them for you, there is no need for you to enter,” Logan said, chewing on his bottom lip. Janus kept smiling.
“Indeed. But I was hoping we could have a conversation. Maybe over a game of chess.” That made Logan pause.
“Chess?”
“Yes, chess. I haven’t had a proper opponent in a while – I could play with Remus, but he changes the rules however he pleases and sometimes I just want a normal game. He mentioned you play.”
“I do,” Logan confirmed slowly, “but why should I trust that that is your only intention?”
“You would just have to, I presume,” Janus shrugged. “But what harm could a simple game of chess do? We will not be making any bets.”
“I was just tricked by your boyfriend; you can understand why I would hesitate.”
“Indeed, I do. Which is a topic I would like to discuss with you. Unless you are satisfied to leave the situation as it is?”
Logan thought about his options for a moment, then he stepped aside.
“Thank you.” Janus entered his apartment, eyes wandering around for a moment before he spots the dining table. “Shall we play there?”
“It is the best option, yes.” Janus nodded and took a seat, placing his hat beside him, before pulling out a chess board seemingly out of nowhere. Logan guessed he should’ve expected that from a demon. He took his seat across from Janus as the other pulled out the pieces.
“Do you prefer black or white?” Janus asked casually, as if Logan wasn’t observing him like he might attack him at any moment.
Logan took a moment to think before answering: “Black.” Without comments, Janus arranged the black pieces in front of Logan and the white ones on his own side.
“Are you ready to start?” he asked once he was done.
“Yes. Please feel free to make your first move.”
They played in silence for a while. Logan glanced up at Janus after every move, but the demon seemed content to study the board and plan out his moves. Eventually, Logan couldn’t take it anymore.
“You came here to talk, so talk,” he said through clenched teeth, moving his rook.
“I did. But I figured you might have some questions for me first.”
“Like what? Why Remus betrayed me? If you were part of his scheme?” Logan huffed. Janus remained calm, moving a pawn up one space.
“Something like that. Would you like me to answer them?”
“Go ahead, if you like.” Logan didn’t know why he was being so aggressive with Janus. Yes, he’d been tricked by Remus, but he’d known that would be a possibility from the start, so why was it throwing him off so much?
“Alright. Let me start with saying, that yes, I was aware of what he was doing from the start, but he didn’t share with me the details of his plans until he enacted them. And I did advise him to come clean with you before you last met.” He calmly watched Logan place his bishop before moving his own. “He told me that he was planning to.”
Logan tried to determine whether the demon was lying or not from his tone, but he couldn’t get a read on him. Janus continued.
“As to why Remus betrayed you – well, I find the word betrayed a bit harsh. He lied to you, even if just by omission, that is true. However, you must consider that he is a demon. That is literally what we do. And I doubt you can claim that any harm has come to you due to his challenges.”
“Maybe not physically,” Logan agreed, “but he did demand a lot.”
Janus chuckled. “Oh please, professor. He made you eat food that was in no way unpleasant, he made you listen to some lunatics, but you could have walked out whenever you wanted, and he gave you an outlet afterwards. And lastly, he let you acquire rare books for a simple deal you could have refused easily. Your visit to Hell and Heaven was not even part of a challenge. I do not see how that is demanding a lot.”
Logan clenched his teeth but didn’t argue. Janus was right, none of Remus’ challenges had been truly difficult and he could have given up anytime. He chose to kiss him for those seven minutes. And maybe that was his problem. He had gotten too attached.
“I do not fault you for being angry,” Janus continued after a few moments of silence. “Remus handled the situation in a less than ideal way. But I genuinely think that he was going to come clean to you. It’s simply that Roman took that choice away from him. Not that this is Roman’s fault either, he was just doing his job and as an angel, he could hardly overlook Remus messing with you. And in a lot of circumstances that would have been fine.
“But Remus has a tendency to get too attached too quickly to people he likes. Add to that his sensitivity to rejection which leads to him to push others away before they can. After those first two challenges, Remus was already very invested in your relationship and feared that if he told you the truth you would never want to talk to him again. So, he put off telling you which leads us to where we are now.”
Logan remained quiet, processing the information given to him while Janus made his next move on the board. He, almost automatically, did the same. Janus let him stew on it for a while.
“You are asking me to forgive him just like that?” Logan asked eventually, his voice small. Janus shook his head.
“I’m asking you to consider his perspective. To talk to him and hear him out. Check.” Logan blinked and looked at the board. Indeed, his king was in check from both Janus’ queen and bishop, and he didn’t see a way out. After a minute of deliberation, he admitted to his loss. Janus held out his hand.
“Thank you for the game, Logan. It was entertaining.” Logan shook his hand.
“Yes, I agree. I will get you the books now.” He hurried away, his head swarming with thoughts, unsure of what he should do. By the time he returned to Janus, he was no closer to an answer. The demon had put his hat back on and was patiently waiting.
“Here they are. All fourteen.”
“Thank you. I will see to it that they are returned to the library as soon as possible.” Janus waved his hand over them and they disappeared. The sight made Logan a bit anxious, but he shoved the feeling away. Janus watched him for a moment before nodding to himself.
“I have said what I came to say. I hope you can reconsider your position, Logan. Even if you are in the right, making the first step is an option. Just don’t let your pride stop you.” Logan nodded, taking the advice to heart. Janus returned the gesture before heading for the door.
Logan felt a pit form in his stomach. Even if he wanted to make things right with Remus, he had no way to contact him. His eyes fell on the letter from the ARB. They would want an answer from him soon. And if he doesn’t appeal, then none of this situation even matters for him anymore.
And that left him with a strong feeling of wrongness.
“Wait, Janus,” he called out before he even made the conscious decision. The demon turned around; eyebrow raised. Logan took a deep breath.
“Take me to Remus, please. I need to talk to him.”
