An adorable thought I've had concerning single Dad! Logan and baby! Patton while reading up on child language acquisition:
Logan reading that stereotypical "baby-talk" is bad for children's development and resolving never to use it.
He probably wouldn't have anyway, he thinks it's condescending and considers his son to be way too smart for that sort of thing, but it's always good to have scientific evidence.
So Logan talks to Patton (who is an Actual Baby) the same way he would address any of his adult friends or colleagues and always answers him like he's talking back.
Logan: *reading a newspaper while Patton's sitting in his lap being A Baby* Hmm, Patton, what do you make of all this?
Patton: *Staring up at Logan like he's just seen the sun for the first time* a-da.
Logan: *trying hard not to smile/ start crying* That's...a very interesting position, I hasn't considered that before, thank you.
Patton: *Sticks Logan's tie in his mouth*
Better yet, grocery shopping:
Logan: *looking very seriously down at Patton in the trolley* Now that you are of an age to start eating solids, it is vital for us to foster healthy eating habits.
Patton: *looks back as seriously as he is able, while also chewing on a tiny frog plushie*
Logan: Yes, I know it's disagreeable, but some things must be done, I'm afraid. From now on we will only be stocking nutritious, sugar free snacks in the kitchen. That is what I've decided.
Patton: a-bleh
Logan: Oh, alright fine. I suppose it wouldn't hurt for us to pick up a couple of jars of Crofters. If you insist.
Patton: *starts giggling, kicking his tiny legs in the trolley happily*
Logan: *while physically restraining himself showing his child with kisses and affection in the middle of the store.* Mind your legs please, Patton. Yes I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get some cookies as well. As long as you promise to eat your vegetables first.
Just...Logan raising Patton man, there's no many adorable scenarios in my head.
Logan reads to Patton out of scientific journals and things because he's trying to get him interested in the subject at an early age.
Logan having to get one of those baby carriers that you strap to your chest just so he can get things done throughout the day because Patton wants to be carried all the time.
And once Patton actually does learn how to talk, Logan has an impossible time saying no to anything.
Patton consistently asking random "why" questions and Logan is never, ever, ever too busy to answer. Or even if he is, or if he doesn't know he'll be like "That's an interesting query, let me get back to you on that" and then he does actual research.
Logan, like most parents, fully unironically believes Patton is totally an undiscovered genius.
Okay, quick question... so what kind of bullshit logic (heh) are we going to use from now on in Sanders Sides Human AUs to justify Logan technically not having birthday?
--- --- ---
Has he lost his birthday certificate at one point (Remus ate it or something) and therefore he has no written proof of ever being born at a certain time? That seems like something he would treat as a valid reason to avoid the emotionally charged social gathering.
Maybe his friends celebrate his birthday on a wrong day, because they’ve made a mistake once and decided to stick with that? One day Roman and Patton just stormed into his room with cake and wishes and Logan’s like: “Wh-what? My birthday is six months from now” and Roman’s says: “...Oops! Too bad. We celebrate today”. So when Logan has his birthday parties they’re never on the correct date and he reminds people about it all the time?
Does Logan (along with Virgil and Janus probably) agree that birthdays are a made-up social construct that only makes people eat unhealthy to die younger and spend unreasonable amount of money to feed capitalism? So when he says “It’s not my birthday”, he means that he avoids celebrating it for ideaological reasons?
...
Was his born in the middle of the night and it’s just a terrible, terrible joke that his dad, Patton, repeats every year... Logan doesn’t have a birthday since he celebrates birthnight? His other dad, Virgil, is going along with the joke just because he likes the idea of his son being a creature of the night.
Is he some kind of timeless crature that lived longer that the rest of the characters in the story and he ever looked for or even had any documents with even the year of his birth? (not exactly Human AU, but still something outside of canon)
He was born on February 29th and therefore his birthday is on the right day only once in four years. He makes sure that everyone remembers.
...
Does he have some kind of angsty, sad story from his childhood that made him avoid treating that day as anything special and the story shows us how his partners or friends try to make him open up a little and celebrate?
Janus convinces him to relax a little, go on a date, and eat their favourite dinner with desert even if it’s a little too much sugar. Remus or Roman pull him away from his work so he can spend some time with them instead of overworking himself to forget. At the end he slowly changes his mind, because the new, happy memories have taken the place of the sad ones from years ago.
He still jokes about not having birthday. But now it’s actually humorous and not a way of deflecting to avoid the topic :’)
You gave me a crown and a title. You accepted me with flaws and all. You gave me power over you and I gave you power over me in the most vulnerable way I know. I didn’t expect love to come for me anymore, but there you came and made my world bright and beautiful and worthwhile. Thank you, my agent of chaos.
The scream in the heart of the Theanan castle rang through the air. A veil was lifted and at once commoners as well as nobility realized what they had forgotten. The servants in the castle, the soldiers and weavers now realized who that weird new guard had been. They realized that they had joked, eaten and lived with their king.
Outside the Theanan boarders, three courts got in motion and the king in the North called for his older brother to immediately be brought to him.
But within the stone walls of the castle Logan didn’t pay any mind to these things. No, he ran. He ran back through the tunnel, threw his jacket off, didn’t turn around when he lost his crown. The backroom, the halls, the gate to the inner courtyard and finally the tents with the hurt soldiers. They all passed by him in a blur.
But the moment Logan entered the tent where his Remus was in, everything became painfully clear again. On a cot between four other men lay the king in a white robe. His hair was sticking to his forehead from sweat and his eyes were closed.
Everyone, except for another man sleeping on the bed to Remus’s right, was looking at Remus and Logan felt his legs give in. Hastily he stumbled forwards and just managed to kneel down to the side of Remus’s bed before he would have fallen without any control over it. And as Logan knelt and watched Remus’s face for the first time which felt like an eternity, tears welled up in his eyes. There he was, the man he adored, he loved, he had married.
Suppressing a whimper Logan looked through the room, searching for a physician or nurse. He spotted a woman next to the door, her eyes wide as plates and her face unspeakably pale.
“How is he?” Logan managed to say despite his voice cracking.
The nurse bowed her head and gulped before daring to say: “He- His Majesty is stable. The wound seems to be healing well and miraculously no vitals were severely damaged through the attack. I will get his physician, who will be able to tell you more, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much,” Logan said under tears and the nurse left the tent in a hurry to find the physician who had treated Remus.
In the meantime, Logan gingerly took Remus’s left hand with his own left. Something made a small clacking sound as they touched and Logan looked down on his hand. His ring was back again and so was Remus’s.
More and more all what had happened sunk in and Logan started to cry. He tried to be quiet to not disturb the other soldiers but all of it came down on him and it felt like it was tearing him apart from the inside. By the time Roman, Janus and Virgil finally entered the tent, Logan was positively sobbing.
Roman joined by his side mere moments later. Hushed whispers came up around them, the presence of both kings and the prince in a tiny tent being too unordinary for no one to not say anything about it. Usually, Janus would have stopped the talking with a single glare, but in the face of everything he could not bother himself to scold them. It was hard enough for himself to not break down at the sight of his oldest friend lying motionlessly in a bed because he had let him become the guard of his own husband. And so, Janus told Virgil to sit with them and waited for the either a nurse or a physician to return shortly.
In the next half hour Janus eventually got an update of Remus’s state, which was everything considered much better than Janus could have hoped, had both Roman and Logan calmed down and gotten them up from the floor where they had been kneeling. Now he stood with Virgil at the entrance of the tent, Roman sitting on the bed close to Remus’s feet and Logan sat on a stool still holding his husband’s hand.
Virgil shot Janus a look. He simply shook his head. No, he wasn’t fine but there was no time for him now. Logan was one of the hardest people to crack but being together with Remus for ten years, being married to the man for eight and then suddenly being cut off him without even knowing it, had done the trick. And he didn’t even want to think about how terrible all of this had to be for Roman. No, just looking at the prince gave him enough of an idea what was going on in his head.
It was time for Janus to get his mind off all of this. He needed to find out how the other courts reacted, what George was doing now and who the fuck had made a deal with a demon. He just had to leave the tent. Which was easy. Virgil could protect them. No one should come for them now.
“What do you need?”
Janus flinched and looked up to Virgil.
“What do you mean?”
Virgil shook his head and looked over to the bed and then back to Janus as he put his hand on his shoulder.
“You’re trying to convince yourself to get out of here and I think it’s stupid. The king is important to you. Just as important as Ro or I are. Just stay. Tell me what you need and I’ll go get it.”
No time to be emotional. No time to feel guilty. It was enough that Logan as well as Roman were out of order. He couldn’t slack off now.
But if he would let Remus out of his sight me might break out in tears.
The decision was made for him.
Logan held Remus’s hand tightly but not too tight. His other hand was resting on his stomach. Thoughts were flooding his mind and new tears formed once more in eyes despite his best efforts to stop them from running. He barely registered Virgil’s voice in the background, nor how Roman slid towards him to put his hand comfortingly on his back.
Movement from beneath his hand sent a shiver up his spine. He looked from his hand to Remus’s face and found his eyelids twitch slightly. He squeezed his hand in reflex and Remus squeezed back. Green eyes flickered open and before truly seeing what was in front of him his eyes already darted towards Logan.
“Your Ma-” Remus slurred but was cut off.
“Remus!”
The name came out with panic and relief and adoration. Logan didn’t know what to feel, how to express it and what to do but it all became clear just after a few moments. A few moments, which Remus needed to understand where he was, to realize that this indeed was Logan crying over him and that he had just heard his actual name for the first time in months.
“Oh, my brilliant bastard,” Remus said fondly and reached with his free hand for Logan’s face.
Finally, he got to smile the too wide and too inappropriate smile of his again. Finally, he could see Logan eye to eye again. Finally, he had his life back.
And to celebrate this he put his other hand on Logan’s shoulder and pulled him with all the dizzy might he had in a kiss. Logan reciprocated sloppily and after a few seconds broke away as giggles and hiccups shook through him. Remus didn’t mind and pulled him close. Under his breath he cursed as he realized how sore and aching he felt and just then Logan helped him lay down with gentle hands.
As Remus’s head was resting on the pillow again, he whispered to Logan: “You’re too kind. I’m not made of glass, you know?”
“I’ve gathered,” Logan hiccupped quietly. “Any other human being would have died of such a wound. What on earth were you thinking? What did she-”
“Wait a sec, darling,” Remus interrupted and blinked.
The longest thirty seconds of silence passed. Just that it wasn’t silent exactly. And that was what Remus had been listening for.
With a spark of mischief but mostly fondness Remus asked Logan: “Could you look under my bed?”
Logan looked like a third eye had just sprouted on Remus’s forehead.
“Come on! Humour me,” Remus pouted.
Usually, Logan would not have humoured Remus’s silly request. Not in front of his solider, even less in the presence of Janus. But today he would let it slide. Shooting Remus a stink-eye he pushed himself back from the bed and lifted the sheet, which was dangling over the side of the bed, hiding what was underneath it. He blinked. And then he smiled.
Gently Logan pushed his chair back further, shared a short glance with Remus and crouched. He lowered his head and looked under the shabby cot.
“And there I thought that monsters wouldn’t live under beds,” Logan said softly. “What a scary little monster you are. You were trying to get to our king, weren’t you?”
And then there was a pause where the whole room heard a little sniffle and how something shuffled under the bed. Perplexed they all stared as Logan crouched down further and stretched his hand under the bed.
“There, there. No need to feel afraid. No one is mad. Would you do me the favour and show me your scary face, little monster?”
And after a few seconds they watched as little hands grabbed Logan’s arm and the king pulled a little boy with curly hair out from under the bed. Roman gaped from the end of the bed and little Patton grappled Logan’s arm even closer as he heard the noise. Parentally Logan shooed him and quickly checked if he could see anything out of the ordinary with him but luckily found nothing. With his free hand Logan took a clean handkerchief from his pocket and began to wipe Patton’s face down. Patton tried to duck out from it and stopped to sniffle but Logan was persistent and eventually had been able to clean his face up.
“Now you look like a dashing monster. Much better, isn’t it?” Logan asked with a grin.
Patton pouted but a little smile broke through when he heard the voice from behind him.
“Hey, there Pat. Did you want to check on me?” Remus said and promptly had the little boy sitting directly in front of his face as he jumped up on the bed.
With some struggle Remus sat up again, mindful of the bandages and the pain from below his ribs. He didn’t want to tear anything but he really wanted to see eye to eye with Patton. And as he finally sat with his eyes glued to the floor, Patton nodded his head fiercely but kept his lips shut close as if he was afraid to speak.
“Patton, what is it? Why aren’t you looking at me?” Remus asked and tried to catch Patton’s gaze.
Patton’s eyes were red and puffy but he managed to get himself to look up. And yet despite his sad look and uncertainty, Remus saw something mighty shine within him.
With a tiny voice Patton asked: “Do you still want me now? I’m just a little kid. Why would you want me?”
How well Remus understood that question. How well he could feel the pain and doubt in it. He knew that he had to and would destroy that doubt, no matter how. He tapped on Patton’s cheek and made a funny face, which made his little boy smile.
“Well, for starters,” Remus said next, “I promised you to give you a soft bed in our home and goodnight stories and kisses every night. And that’s a lot easier now because I won’t have to ask JJ to give me a raise to buy a bed. And more importantly, me not wanting you? Very unlikely. So, so very unlikely. I mean who would turn down a kid, who is kind and brave like you? Who would turn down a kid who says hello to the most feared guard of Prince Roman? Who would turn down a kid who has broken into castle for snacks and to check on his friend? And who would turn down a kid who has taught a king how to clean a pan and how to use the public bathhouse?”
Remus pulled Patton into a hug. Patton’s tears sank into Remus’s shirt but he didn’t mind. He just held him and looked to Roman at the foot of the bed with a gentle pledge in his eyes to wait just a moment longer. He had to take care of his boy first.
“Oh Pat, how could I turn you down when you are the reason why I have stayed here? Because I planned on leaving the castle that day when we met. I planned on leaving all behind because it hurt so much that they didn’t remember me. Because of you I stayed. Because of you I got everything back and even more.”
Remus exchanged look with Logan. He nodded with tears in his eyes. Carefully, Remus pulled Patton back and ran his finger over his wet cheek, feeling himself tearing up.
“I’ve got you. I’ve got a son.”
And there the tear dropped.
“If you want to us to be your dads, of course.”
“I get both of you?!” Patton shouted excitedly and looked from Remus to Logan.
“We are kind of a package deal,” Logan said and pointed to his ring finger, “so yes. If you wish so we can become your parents.”
“Yes, please! And I don’t even have to make you become a couple!” Patton cried joyously and jumped around Logan’s neck who barely managed to catch him in time.
Remus shot Logan a pointed look but didn’t ask what that statement had been about. Soothingly Logan picked Patton up, explained to him that they had to let the physicians and nurses do their job and let them take care of Remus. Patton barely resisted. He had been hiding under Remus’s bed for a long while and it had exhausted him quite a bit. When Logan stood face to face with Janus, told him to stay with Remus while he would see what he needed to attend to, Patton had fallen asleep in his arms.
“You’re sure he’s not overworking himself?” Remus asked as he shifted in his bed.
After months of sleeping in a hard uncomfortable bed, his own matrass had felt foreign. But with Logan by his side, despite them not being able to cuddle, since Remus had still to heal quite a bit, things had been bearable.
Roman was sitting on the edge of his bed and rolled his eyes at Remus’s question as he said: “As if we would let him do that. I promise we won’t let him do anything too taxing. He's been with Pat for most of the time actually. I’ve done most of the work with Jan’s help.”
Remus pursed his lips and Roman sighed.
“It’s been a day since we remembered. You need to give him time. Jan feels like he’s failed you and you know what happened the last time his family ‘failed’.”
“I was a kid!” Remus grumbled and crossed his arms over his chest. “Our parents had just died and I just wanted something to make sense. I know Jove hasn’t been responsible for any of this. He didn’t break his oath... Neither did Jan.”
Roman nodded and took his hand. Remus let him and watched Roman for a few minutes. They had spoken a bit after Logan had left but there were still many questions that needed to be addressed.
“They’ll ask at some point why I knew how to fight,” Remus began unusually subdued.
Roman shot him a glance. He shook his head.
“Don’t be like that. It was my idea, so I’ll take the blame. Mom didn’t want us to learn how to fight because of me, and you just had to follow through to not make me suspicious. But frankly, at this point I don’t even know if I can fall into a blood rage. I mean, I sat in our parents' blood and it didn’t happen.”
“True.”
“Still makes me a demon, I know. Don’t remind me.”
Remus snickered and slapped Roman’s arm.
“I didn’t even say anything, but I guess that happens with an identical twin...”
Roman mused over the next words for a while. He knew had gotten the better deal in the end. The younger brother. The spare. Being a demon had always frightened him but with Remus by his side everything had seemed easier. Janus helped him figuring his powers and strengths out and was also a pillar of support in his youth.
A deep inhale. Roman caught Remus’s eyes. He pressed his lips together and nodded.
“I think it’s time we tell them,” Roman finally said.
Remus sunk deeper into his pillow and grimaced. He had expected that Roman would want to take that step. They both had wanted to take that step for a long while but Janus had told them to hold back.
A thread of humour pulled at the corner of Remus’s mouth and he said: “I wanted to for a while. But now would be a good time. Especially since the curse was the Dragon Witch’s doing. It will be easier to explain to them why she did what she did to me. Still don’t know how Virgil hadn’t figured you out. Like, has he his eyes closed in the bedroom or does he have a fetish for blindfolds?”
“No, you dumbass! He thinks they’re tattoos!” Roman whined.
“Tattoos? That’s hilarious! How did he get that idea?”
“I don’t know man! He just assumed and it’s not like everyone knows what demon marks look like. It’s a fair guess from him. Don’t make fun of it!”
Remus continued to laugh as Roman whined and hit him once more in the arm. It didn’t do anything to stop Remus from teasing but at least Roman felt like he had at least tried to defend his partner’s honour. But after a while Remus finally had laughed his last laugh and the twins sat there in silence. There was another thing that was weighing down on Remus’s chest and he wasn’t sure how he should breach the topic.
“Pat will be in good hands. You’re just as good as dad was.”
Remus’s heart stopped beating. Roman looked at him fondly, like Remus never could.
“I’ve noticed when you came to protect me. You’ll do well. Pat’s lucky and so are we. Finally, his wish is going to be fulfilled; no more demons on the throne. With us this chapter will be finally over,” Roman said and laid his arm around Remus’s shoulder.
For the remaining time Roman stayed in Remus’s room, the brothers just held onto each other. It was scary for them to let go of their secret but at the same time both of them looked forward to it. They wanted to be seen. Wanted to be free of their past and somehow, through this tragedy they have gotten a chance they never could have dreamt of.
The war had officially been called off. King George had sent an official apology to Theana, promised a relief fund and had backed out of the alliance talks between the four kingdoms for the time being. In a letter directed at Remus and Logan he relied that Jean had been responsible for what had happened to Remus. He had fallen into madness and was beyond reason, which was why he had him removed from his position and thrown him into the dungeon. There was going to be a trial when they had more evidence for his treacherous alliance with the Dragon Witch. But if they wished they could weigh into the sentence, since they had been the most affected by his actions.
It had been Janus who responded to George’s letters. Remus was still resting for the week, and while he had read the letter, he did not feel up for making a decision over a life sentence. And while Logan was more than willing to speak a few words with the king they had decided together that they should give George a bit of rest as well. He had been a friend for a long time and while Jean was a terrible person, he was the remainder of George’s family and that was a hard truth to come back from.
And so, Janus had answered, that they thanked him for his information and offer but would for the time being hold off with a comment, since the royal couple was still recovering from the past months before they would decide on such a difficult topic.
But this was not the only thing which had kept Janus busy. He had to redo all of the warding symbols around the castle, had to answer messages from Scites and Kainen, had to keep the court in order, had to get the papers ready for Patton’s adoption. There was no time for him to sit around and chat. There was certainly no time to visit Remus now that he was supposed to be resting. Indeed, it was his duty to not disturb him to guarantee a quick recovery and-
“Hey JanJan.”
Janus jumped around. In a white nightgown stood Remus in front of him. Janus looked around, making sure that his head was not playing any tricks with his mind. But no, this was Remus standing behind him even though there was no way that he could have approached him from the direction he had been coming from.
“The secret passages pretty practical for getting around quickly. I found them when we were 10 or so. Dad said to keep them secret,” he explained a little sheepish and scratched the back of his neck.
Janus scoffed and wiped away some non existing dust from his sleeves. He would not give Remus the satisfaction of having startled him. Thank you very much.
“Come on! I didn't mean to startle you!”
“You should be in bed.”
Janus tried to turn around and walk away. Emphasis on tried. Despite everything Remus managed to close the distance between them and grabbed him by the arm. Viciously he charged towards him and lost all his vigour the second he saw his best friend’s sad look.
“Jan, please stop avoiding me!”
Angrily Janus pursed his lips and yanked his arm away from Remus’s grasp but didn’t attempt to flee anymore. He didn’t want to leave Remus. And so he stood and glanced up to Remus with and expectant look and a seemingly cold expression, Remus knew was as fake as the smile on Logan’s face when he had to listen and gossip with nobility over other nobles.
“I know it’s been a lot on you and I absolutely get that you are stressed but -” Remus voice cracked and he continued quietly – “I don’t wanna be without my best friend any longer! Ro ’s my heart, Lo ’s my lifeline but they’re nothing without you… I’m nothing without you. You’re my bestest friend, and I didn’t get the chance to talk with you about the fact that I’ll be a dad soon! A dad! And you’ll be an uncle and help me not spoil the cute little brat rotten and-”
A cracked whine cut Remus of and without thinking he pulled Janus in a hug. They quickly shuffled into Janus’s office and finally took the time to address what had been bothering them. Janus confessed his regret and shame of distrusting Remus and making him work so hard, even though it was his job to take care of him and protecting him. Remus listened and admitted that it had stung at first but he understood Janus’s dedication to his position and thanked him for keeping Logan safe during his absence. He thanked him for being there for him despite not knowing it was him and swore that he was not angry with him at all for doing his job.
And finally, Remus could tell somebody how much it hurt to be so close with all of them without being able to tell them who he was. He told how much it cost him to restrain himself, how much he hated every second of it, how Patton had been the only one to keep him from turning crazy. The longer he talked the more he marvelled over the boy and Janus found himself smiling at his adoration. It was the same passion and love he had seen in Aneas and Rhea’s parenting of the twins and Janus knew that Remus would do well as a father.
Eventually, Janus got reminded of the time and the two got to up for dinner. With sparkling eyes Logan greeted Remus and Patton tackled in a hug. Excitedly he told Remus that he and Daddy had gone to the physician and showed off the glasses he had been given. Remus smiled at every word and just waved at Roman and Virgil when they joined for dinner.
This felt like things had finally fallen into place.
That same evening Patton had convinced Remus that he should be allowed to sleep in ins dads’ bed this evening because it was a very special day. When Remus asked what was so special about today Patton had simply said: “It’s today and it’s only once today, and it’s also the fourth night that I have two dads and it’s very special to me!”
To that Remus had no objections and helped Patton get into his pyjamas and tucked him into their bed after he had gotten ready himself. Animatedly he told Patton a goodnight story and watched as he fell asleep despite his best efforts to stay awake.
A few moments passed and Remus heard the door to the bathroom opening and turned around. There was his Logan, in all his beauty. His long hair was hanging down to his midback for once, the dark blue nightgown falling gently down his sides. He was breathtakingly beautiful.
“You’re beautiful,” Remus whispered.
A smile broad and wobbly spread on Logan’s lips. With happy and big steps, he walked towards his husband and took him by the hands. Squeezed them and twirled the two of them in a circle before he stopped and kissed Remus on the forehead.
This was odd. Amazing but odd. Logan didn’t do sweet and mushy stuff usually.
“What is up, my bug? Just happy to see me?” Remus said with a suggestive lilt in his voice.
Logan snorted, pushed his glasses up and rubbed his eyes. Now Remus was beginning to worry and his found himself cupping Logan’s cheeks and quietly shooing his husband tears away. But Logan smiled and took Remus’s hand and pressed his palm against his lip. He kissed it gently and shook his head with a serene expression.
“I am more than happy, my star. What I am feeling is beyond words and beyond everything I could ever imagine, my love,” Logan said and guided Remus’s hands down to his waist.
Remus held him and looked at him with a worried frown but Logan kept on grinning.
“You brought us home a son. After five years we finally get to be parents. And of such a wonderful boy. Who would dare to wish for more?”
Remus relaxed and said in a breath: “Yeah, who would? It’s unbelievable.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Logan bit his lips. A teary laugh shook him.
“What if we’d be blessed with a second one after trying so long?”
Remus’s mind blanked. His eyes went wide and his hands tightened around Logan’s waist. He opened his mouth but the words escaped him.
To his luck his husband knew exactly what he wanted to ask.
“I had my suspicions when we got our memories back and today finally got to see my gynaecologist when I went to the court physician with Patton. And she said I’m along the 12th to 14th week. And that the baby seems to be okay so far.”
Had Remus been uninjured he would have lifted Logan from the ground and spun him around in circles. Instead, he kissed him. Kissed him deeply and passionately before they broke off with delirious laughs on their lips and pulled each other towards the bed. They sat down and looked to the sleeping Patton thinking about how he would hopefully be excited to be a big brother.
They looked into each other’s’ eyes for a moment, before Logan broke the eye contact and took Remus’s hand. Gently, he laid it on his belly. He wasn’t showing much yet. This was his first child and he didn’t gain too much weight over the last months but there had grown a little round line over the last two weeks and finally he had an answer to as why. A wonderful answer.
Logan watched Remus look at his middle in awe and then look back at him with this look of absolute and utter adoration. Logan could only hope that his own gaze reflected the same.
“You’re wonderful,” Remus whispered.
He leaned forwards and Logan met him in the middle, their foreheads touching lightly.
And Logan answered finally after so many days: “And you’re ridiculously breathtaking, my agent of chaos.”
___
Link for AO3, Taglist, Masterlist, and next Chapters are in my first reblog!
Warnings: none that I know of? Let me know if you want me to tag something
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Perseus and Andromeda
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Logan and Janus stood in front of the other four. Smiles completely coated their faces as they both held out their left hands. Janus holding Logan's bicep with his right hand.
Rings. On both of them.
"You- you got married?" Patton's voice was timid. He didn't expect this day to come. But he currently wanted his father-son dance with Logan
Janus and Logan's faces quickly turned to shock. "What?! No! We're engaged! These are engagement rings daa-- Patton!" Logan blushed at the almost use of Pattons old title. Not that Logan didn't view Patton as a father figure -far from it, Janus and him were the youngest sides- but calling someone dad while you are practically the same age and completely imaginary is quite weird in his opinion but I mean-
"My love, your zoning out again."
Logan could hear the amusement in his fiance's voice. Squeezing Janus' hand slightly; Logan cleared his thoat, "What was that question again?"
Roman was slightly laughing before Remus elbowed him in the ribs, "OW REM-" "Roman sh! Do you have a date picked out yet?" Virgil had a hopeful shimmer in his eyes
Logan and Janus looked at eachother briefly, "Not really, to be honest" Janus laughed slightly. "He just asked me last night," a lose curl falling from behind the yellow sides ear. Logan quickly catching it to tuck it back to its rightful place
The sides migranted over to couch. They had a feeling that they'll be talking for a while.
"Any ideas on a theme yet?" Roman was bouncing enthusiastically, hands tight fisted on the couch. A huge ear to ear grin spread on his face
Logan hummed, thinking back to a precious conversation, "We're thinking victorian or dark academia. But we're open to any suggestions!" his hand was tracing circles over and over on Janus' back.
Roman jumped off the couch. Bouncing up and down over and over and over, "FEAR NOT MY BELOVED FRIENDS! I will help you plan it!"
Romans eyes sparkled rapidly. Grin glowing like wild, he paused for a second or two before gasping, "WE COULD HAVE IT IN A HUGE GOLDEN BALLROOM! With crystal plates! And a hundred foot tall cake! An-"
It was at that point where the blue and yellow sides completely zoned out to Romans tangent.
The newly engaged couple gave eachother a look. This look said a lot of things. But mainly 'are we seriously going to let a side who thinks throwing glitter at random objects equels fashion. Complete control of our wedding?' that look. Its a very very specific look. But its a very obvious look.
The red creativity seemed to notice the couples glazed over eyes and blank expression. So he quickly stopped his rant to add on a rather important detail, "I mean... If you guys want me to help. Its completely ok if you don't!! I mean, its ok, I just-"
"Roman for the love of all things holy. Please stop talking." Logan was rubbing his temple with his free hand, "We would love to have you help plan our wedding. But we don't need a ballroom, or crystal plates, or any fancy fairy tale type things." He squeezed Janus' hand with a bright grin, "We just need eachother."
Roman's dramatic pose and extreme tangent faltered. He paused. Seeming to process the information. Before a small grin took his face. "then thats what you two will have."
Janus moved his gaze from Roman to the green twin... Looking at the floor.... With a pout that could kill a god.... Looking very non-Remus esq.
"Remus, do you also want to help plan our wedding?"
In the span of a second, Remus' face bounced between 50 different emotions before settling on complete and utter happiness, "I THOUGHT YOU WOULD NEVER ASK MY AMAZING DOUBLE D-"
Patton slapped his hand over Remus' mouth, "lets not talk about my future son-in-law like that! eeewwwWWWWWW!!! ROMAN HE LICKED MY HAND!!" Patton snapped his hand away as soon as he put it on.
Laughter filled the rest of the night... And quite a bit of wine.
------2 mouths later-----
Logan grumbled as he threw another crumpled piece of paper against the desk. Elbows on the desk, hands pressing into his eyes.
His supposed vows were going amazingly. Completely. Totally. A hundred percent. Amazing....... Oh who was he kidding? His vows were going terribly.
Not from lack of love or anything absolutely ridiculous like that. He loved Janus more then the stars, moon and galaxies combined. He loved everything about Janus.
He loved Janus' snark. He loved the way his eyes glowed when they watched a movie. Or how Janus' voice drips like steeped honey and smoked chives. Or how his snake eye dilates when he's happy. Or when he gets excited and talks for hours and hours about a philosopher or a certain myth that sparked his interest or reminded him of their relationship-
Thats it.
The last myth that Janus was talking about was Perseus and Andromeda.
Andromeda was to be sacrificed to save her kingdom because her mother boasted about her beauty to the nererids. The nererids told their father, Poseidon, and as revenge; Poseidon sent a sea monster to ravenge the kingdom. Perseus, the hero who slayed Medusa, saw Andromeda chained to the stone and slayed the sea monster. After saving her, he took her hand in marriage.
It was far from their love story. Far far from their love story. But...
The way his eyes lit up.
Logan could get drunk on that look. He could live off that look alone for the rest of his life. Oh and that smile
Logan takes his head out of his hands. Mouth agape.
He had an idea
---------
Janus had been hitting his head against his desk for hours.
Janus could write millions of speeches, and could convince armys to do his bidding, and he could use empty words to get his desires.
But these damn vows.
Janus supposes that its because he isn't used to truth. But he wants too! But the truth seems to be avoiding him more then mouse with a cat.
Logan likes cats, he could never get one before because Patton's allergic. Should he even call Patton by his name? Wouldn't he call him dad now?
He allowed his mind to wonder for a short period of time. Elbows on the desk, hands pressing into his eyes.
This needs to be the truth and its not like he's low on love for Logan. Far far from it
They met when they were younger. Really really younger. He doesn't even remember it. But according to Virgil, Logan and him stared at eachother for five minutes before actually talking to eachother -more like babbling- after that they were practically inseparable. They did everything together apparently. Then they stayed friends for a long time. They barely even talked to eachother by the time that he introduced himself to Thomas. But...
But then Logan became a dark side. Logan started to unbutton the top of his polo. Logan stopped wearing the tie. Logan started to wear ice blue makeup. The Logan he knew as a child came back.
The Logan who loved science, bugs and books. Who loved ranting about old dead philosophers and Janus loved to listen. Logan loved old libraries and classical music. The Logan that used to watch Bill Nye as a child and knows the theme song by heart. The Logan that loved old myths and stories. The Logan who would go outside to the imagination and watch the stars and constellations for hours. His Logan
His favourite constellation was Perseus-
He has an idea.
----The Wedding Day----
Janus adjusted his suit for probably the millionth time. Running his fingers through his hair, attempting to make it lay properly. But only making the curls more wild.
Grumbling obscurities while trying to smooth down his damn hair, he heard low chuckles behind him.
"You know your only gonna make it worse, right Jan?" Virgil was leaning against the wall. His own hair absolutely perfect.
Janus sighed, "I know dad. But I just want my damn hair to lay properly for once! This is why I wear my damn hat-" the chuckles turned into full laughter.
"Logan will love you, no matter how your hair looks," Virgil stood up straight (HA) and walked over to Janus
He took a comb and started to go through his hair. Janus stopped growing by the time he was fifteen, so he was maybe at shoulder height with Virgil. "You need to stop worrying so much, and thats coming from me. Lo loves you more then the sun itself. Don't worry about something as silly as your hair."
Janus watched from the floor to ceiling mirror as Virgil expertly calmed down the mess of his hair.
Meanwhile.....
"Patton please stop crying. Your going to stain my suit-"
"BUT MY BABY'S GETTING MARRIED!!!" tears were still leaking down his face. He's been doing this since he came into the room -which was about twenty minutes ago-
Logan sighed, a smile apparent on his face as he patted his father figure on the back. "I know." he straightened his bowtie slightly in the mirror, "I just love him so much dad," Patton sat down in one of the dressing room chairs. A smile covering his entire face.
"Jan isn't really one to cry. But when I proposed to him? Tears just started leaking. I thought he was upset, so I went to comfort him," blush growing on his cheeks, "then he kissed me and looked me directly in the eyes and said yes." Logan felt a huge grin spreading on his cheeks against his will. He looked out of the mirror and back to his father. "He said yes."
Patton stood up from his seat and put his hands on Logan's shoulders, "and now its your wedding day. You two are going to get married and live out your lives being complete loveable nerds as you talk about philosophy and the stars and things I could never understand. You two are absolutely perfect for eachother and I can't wait to see where you two go next." while tears still shone in his eyes, the smile showed that they were of happiness.
They stared at eachother for a few minutes. Patton nitpicking small details to fix on Logan's suit.
"Janus the one walking down the isle right?"
Logan laughed softly, "yeah, he said it was a more dramatic entrance. Thats my future husband, right there"
Patton looked a little puzzled, "Can you even call him your future husband if the ceremony is starting in less then ten?"
"I mean, technically thats in the futur- wait. How much time was left?"
Patton blinked. Looking in the eyes of his son, "Ten minutes."
A look of panic shot through Logan. "We have to go!"
Logan grabbed Patton's hand. Pulling him out to the room. The celebration hall was stunning
It was outside, circle tables scattered around the clearing like the stars above scattered in the sky. A banquet table for the newly weds, their parents and their best men. The altar was covered in delicate fairy lights illuminating a soft glow. The shimmering stars above their heads shone brighter the usual. The constellations of Perseus and Andromeda were by far the brightest.
Logan stopped in his tirade to the altar. And simply looked at the brilliant view that the twins had put together for them.
For once in his life. Logan was speechless.
"They did a good job right?!?"
Logan was still looking around the meadow, amazed at every tiny detail. From the black dahilas that Remus insisted on including because of the famous unsolved murder, to the fairy lights climbing up the pillers that was no doubt Roman's doing.
"Its beautiful... How di-"
"The twins are a very creative bunch, kiddo!! We have five minutes until your wonderful groom comes out!" The other guests were starting to fill the room as Logan took his place at the altar. It was mostly figments that Thomas had made. Emile, Remy, The Critic, etc. They all took their seats and watched the meadow.
Logan walked over to his place next to the altar. Hands fidgety and resisting the urge to mess with the hair that he spent so long combing down. Roman stood at his side, while Remus waited at the other side of the altar for Janus. Before he knew it the music started to play, the quests rose from their seats, he felt his desire to stand straight. But none of those compared to when Janus walked into the room.
Janus walked in with Virgil latched on to his arm. A periwinkle blossem on the left of his chest. He still had his yellow gloves on -he really hated taking them off. Without the gloves, Janus couldn't lie- but he was without his hat. He was in a black tux with a yellow bowtie.
Logan couldn't think of anything else more beautiful. Logan couldn't think of anyone more beautiful then the side in front of him. Logan couldn't help the gigantic, ear to ear smile as Janus arrived at the altar and took his hands in his own.
The officiant -Who Roman just summoned from the imagination- cleared his voice and spoke to the whole room of people, "Friends and Family, we are gathered here today to connect two side's hearts and souls through this ceremony.
Logic Logan Sanders, Do you take this side to love and to hold, to protect and charish and to adore until the end of your lives?"
His smile growing wider, eyes sparkling with deep love and affection; Logan gazed into Janus' eyes, lightly squeezing his hands. "More then the sun and the stars."
The officiant smiled slightly before turning to Janus. "Deceit Janus Sanders, Do you take this side to love and hold, to protect and charish and to adore until the end of your lives?"
Tears shone throughout Janus' eyes. He removed his hands from Logans and for a second the blue side felt his heart drop, only for it to swell when he sees Janus remove his gloves and place his hands back in Logans. "More then every lie, secret and promise I have ever made."
The officiant turned back to Logan, "Please say your vows."
Logan felt his heart throb as he opened his mouth,
"Janus. In the very very long time that I have known you, I find myself falling more in love with you every day. I love how you laugh. I love how when you're tired you curl up to my side. I love how you stay by my side through it all. My translation from a light side to dark, my learning cerve to our new family, every dilemma from the others that we have to enviably fix.
Every night, every day, every hour, every minute, every second. You occupy my mind. And god Janus, I never want you to leave it.
I love you. I love you more then Perseus loved Andromeda." Logan's eyes were shining with unshed tears, he lightly squeezed Janus' hands. "I love you Janus and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
The officiant nodded, then he turned to Janus. "Please speak your vows."
Janus drew a shaky breath before speaking.
"Logan, I honestly don't remember when we met. You were my only constant, the unchanging variable that I could always fall back on. You were always there for me and I want to always be there for you.
I love you more then anything Logan. The way you light up when a new documentary comes out, drives butterflies to my stomach. When you laugh, I get lightheaded. When you smile, I get bolts of electricity to my heart. When you take me to the imagination for a date among the stars, I get so love drunk that things get dizzy. When you took me to our favourite place and got on one knee, I cried tears of joy.
There is nothing that I don't love about you. I've always found honest words hard to process. But believe me when I say that I've said no lies to you. You are the one person I will never lie to. I love you more then Andromeda loved Perseus," Janus looked up at Logan. The height difference apparent, but he smiled like he never smiled before. "I love you Logan. And I cannot wait to call you my husband."
The two sides gave eachother looked at eachother with pure adoration and love.
"Please put these rings on eachother."
They could hear Patton's loud sobs in the background as they slipped on the rings.
The officiant smiled wide, "I now pronounce you, Husband and Husband! You may now kiss your groom!"
They flew together like magnets. Logan grabbed the side of Janus' face to pull him closer, the earthy smell of cloves and plums filling his senses. Janus held Logan's arms and pulled him towards him. The kiss was far from chaste, but they pulled apart not long after to be met with......
"NOW YOU GOTTA STRIP AND FU-- OW ROMAN!!"
"NOT AT THE WEDDING YOU BABOON!"
The twins were a very chaotic bunch...
The wedding continued perfectly as planned. Then it came to the father-son dances.
Virgil as Janus were doing well. Virgil was giving Janus his best wishes and telling him how proud he was if him.
Patton and Logan??
Patton always cries at wedding to say the least...
Then it was their turn to dance.
Logan took his husbands hand and led him to the dance floor. It was lit by only fairy lights and the extra bright stars. They twirled and spinned and danced like they was only the two there.
The two battled for the lead before Logan won. Hand now in the swell of Janus' back and leading him in a very elaborate ballroom dance. Janus' scales glowing a bright yellow. Even over the music you could hear their laughter.
Patton and Virgil stood on the sidelines. Watching as their children had their fun. Virgil hummed slightly, "you owe me twenty bucks Patt."
Patton was very confused, he hadn't made any new bets recently or borrowed any money. "Why is that kiddo?"
Virgil turned and looked at Patton, "Ten years ago, you bet me that Lo and Jan would never get married. You owe me a twenty."
Patton grumbled slightly as he pulled a bill from his jacket pocket and handed it over. "This is the best bet I've ever lost then."
Virgil laughed, purple beginning to dust under his eyes. "You got that right," He took two glasses of champagne from the waiters walking by, "To our beloved children?"
Patton took the glass and raised it with Virgil. "To our beloved children." they then took a long sip and continued to watch as the couple danced.
The stars shining above, the moon full. They loved eachother more then Perseus and Andromeda.
-------
I. REGRET. NOTHING!!!
I also have 0 self control soo
The charcters are very ooc... But I don't overly care.
Janus woke up in bed with each of the twins curled up at his sides. He smiled at his nephews a moment before his phone dinged. He glanced at it before pulling it off the charger and walking into the kitchen.
I don't care what that bitch's will said.
I want my kids back.
Janus sighed. He thought he blocked Diana's deadbeat boyfriend's number. He quickly typed out a response, though, to let that asshole know he wasn't coming anywhere near Roman, Remus, and Virgil.
First of all, that "bitch" is my sister, who died three months ago. If you actually cared about HER sons, you would have come for them earlier.
Janus took a few deep breaths to try and steady himself. He had told himself it wasn't Oliver's fault over and over. Oliver wasn't the one who was driving drunk, Oliver wasn't the one who hit Diana's car at three in the morning, Oliver wasn't the one who took a mother away from two five-year-olds and a baby. And yet......
They're MY kids. I made them.
If you think you can take them just because Diana said you're their guardian, then you've got another thing coming.
Hands shaking, Janus deleted the messages and blocked Oliver's number. Oliver might not have killed Diana, but his drinking habit and inability to hold a job had drained her college fund. He might not have hit her car, but he disappeared in the middle of the night and left her with nothing. He might not have taken his son's mother from them, but he was the reason she was out on the road that late.
And if he thought he could take Janus's nephews just because he was their birth father--
"Uncle Janny?" Janus turned around to see Remus looking up at him, sleepy eyed and clutching an octopus plushie. "Can I have some water?"
"Of course, sweetpea," he said softly as he walked to the sink. As soon as Remus had a glass in his hand, Virgil started crying. Janus hurried to their room and had a bottle for him in minutes.
Soon everyone was fast asleep again. Janus hugged the twins closer to him, heart pounding. His apartment was too small, Oliver was back in his life, and all his friends were either at University or settling down, too far away for him to reach. Janus had never felt so alone.
***
Roman was sobbing, Remus was holding his hand, and Janus was trembling. "W-what happened," he asked, staring at the blood covering Roman's knee and dripping down his leg.
"He tripped and fell hard on the sidewalk," Remus said. Janus took a deep breath.
This was bound to happen. Just go get some towels, or bandaids, or something.
Janus forced himself to put one foot in front of the other and get the supplies necessary to treat a hurt knee. When all the blood was cleaned up, the scrape wasn't that bad. Roman's tears slowed down and Remus's grip on his hand loosened. Roman gave Janus a hug once the bandaid was on.
"Thanks, Uncle Janny."
"Of course. I love you."
"Love you, too." Janus smiled. He was still shaking, but everything was okay now. His phone chimed twice, and he glanced at it. The first message made his heart skip a beat.
I've got a lawyer now, Pine. I'm taking them back.
How did he get around the blocking? How?
"We're gonna go back out and play again, okay," Remus asked.
"No!" The twins flinched. "I-I mean..... Why don't we stay inside and watch movies?" Remus and Roman exchanged a look, then slowly nodded. Janus smiled, pushing back the tears of relief in his eyes. "Okay! I'll make pizza and garlic bread. You guys pick a movie, okay?" Roman and Remus went to the media cabinet. Janus threw some frozen pizzas and breadsticks into the oven, locked all the windows and doors, and grabbed Virgil.
The rest of the night, every bump startled him. He never fell asleep, either, for fear of Oliver breaking down the door and taking the boys from out from under his nose. His phone went off twice more during the night. He left it, terrified that it was more threatening messages. And as the clock inched closer and closer to seven, there was only one thought in Janus's head.
I'm not ready for this.
***
Janus checked his phone on his break, struggling to keep his eyes open. There was nothing more from Oliver, thank God, but there were three unanswered messages from a number Janus didn't recognize.
Hey, this is Janus Pine, right? I'm Patton Hart.
I was your nephews' doctor when they lived in my area. I'm sorry I wasn't able to come to Diana's funeral. I didn't hear she died until last night. She was a good friend, though. I've known her since Roman and Remus were babies.
I just realized how late it is. Sorry.
Janus read over the messages a few times and smiled a bit.
Hello, Dr. Hart, he typed. I'm sorry I didn't answer your messages last night. I received some upsetting news.
Patton responded almost immidiately.
That's okay! I just thought you might want to hear from one of her friends. And, please, call me Patton.
Janus smiled. Then another text from Patton came.
I.... Also wanted to make sure the boys were okay. They're living with you, right?
Janus frowned. That was a little suspicious.
Yes, my nephews live with me, and they're quite alright. Why?
Janus had to go back to work again, but he'd be talking to Patton more once he was home.
***
Patton didn’t answer until Janus had finished washing the dishes from dinner.
No reason! They were friends with my son and I wanted to let him know they were doing alright. He’s been really worried.
Janus stared at the message, sensing bullshit from miles away.
You know about Oliver.
.... Has he been giving you trouble?
He has a lawyer and is trying to take the kids from me.
That fucking asshole!
Janus gaped at the last message. From what he could tell, Patton was fairly sweet and even-tempered. Then again, he didn’t really know him. They had only met today, and only over texts.
Sorry for that. He just makes me so mad.
Join the club.
Diana was too good for him. That deadbeat never did anything but drink, watch TV, and scare the twins. They stayed over here practically every other night for two weeks, then Oliver just up and left. Diana had to work and care for the boys on her own for months.
She was hysterical when she called. She was actually going to move her family back here and live with me before her car got hit.
Yeah. You shouldn’t have to worry about Oliver too much, though. I took Diana to get his parental rights terminated about two months before she left.
Janus laughed a bit, wiping tears out of his eyes. Oliver couldn’t take his nephews away from him!
Thanks, Patton. That makes me feel a lot better.
No problem, Janus!
You know, if you wanted, you all could stay with my son and I for the weekend. Logan would love to see his friends again.
That would be great. I’ll ask Roman and Remus.
***
Janus parked his car outside a small pale blue house with a wrap around porch. Roman and Remus shot out of the car. “LOGAN!” A small boy with square shaped glasses jumped down the steps and ran. The boys all collided into a messy group hug, practically sobbing.
“I missed you guys so much,” Logan said.
“We’re never going to leave you again,” Remus said firmly.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Janus said, carrying two suitcases and wearing Virgil in a baby sling. The door of the house opened, and a tall man with messy blond hair, crooked round glasses, and freckles all over his face and arms stepped onto the porch. His face broke out into a grin as he caught sight of Janus, and he bounded down the steps.
“Hi!” Janus smiled a bit.
“Hello, Patton.”
“Let me help you!” Patton took one of the suitcases from Janus and started up the steps. “Why don’t you three go play in the backyard?” Logan, Roman, and Remus nodded and ran around the house. Patton showed Janus Logan’s room, where Roman and Remus would sleep, and the guest room, where he had set up Virgil’s crib. Afterwards, they ended up in the kitchen. Patton held Virgil, the small child hugging the doctor tightly.
“Thank you again for this. I needed to get away.” Patton smiled.
“Of course! I’m glad to see the boys again.” And then the three small tornadoes blew into the kitchen. Logan held up a jar containing a cricket.
“Dad, look! Acheta domesticus!” Patton leaned closer to take a look.
“It’s a cricket!” Roman cheered.
“Can we eat it,” Remus asked. Logan glared at him.
“Of course not! We have to pin it to my board.” Remus grinned.
“That’s even better!” The boys blew out of the kitchen and ran up the stairs. Patton chuckled and shook his head. “I missed them,” he told Janus. “I miss Diana, too. I’m really, really sorry she’s gone.” Janus shook his head, a bitter smile on her face.
“Hey, you didn’t hit her car.” Patton nodded and looked at his feet. Janus sighed and closed his eyes. “I just wish I got to say goodbye, you know? Or that I knew what to do. I’ve got to take care of Roman and Remus now. I don’t have a clue what they need or what they want from me.” Janus fought the lump in his throat. “I don’t know what to do.” He turned his head and brushed the tears out of his eyes.
“Hey,” Patton said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I didn’t, either, when my ex and I had Logan. No one does. You just have to do what you think is right for them and hope that they don’t hate you for it in the end.” Janus laughed humorlessly.
“Thanks, that makes me feel great.” Patton laughed too.
“It’ll get easier,” he said. “I promise.” Janus rubbed his eyes.
“I wasn’t ready for any of this.”
“No one ever is.”
***
Janus woke up in the middle of the night with a dry mouth. He crept into the kitchen, peeking into Logan’s room on the way to check on the twins. He grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water. After he had his drink, he found that he couldn’t sleep. He found a magazine in a rack by the recipe tins and sat down at the table. As he flipped through one, something fell out. Janus picked up the card. It was addressed to Dr. Patton Hart, and written in Diana’s handwriting. Against his better judgement, he opened and read it.
Dearest Patton,
First of all, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for my sons and I. You’ve been a better friend to me than anyone I’ve ever known. You stuck by me through everything with Oliver, and I can’t thank you enough or ever really repay you. That’s why I’m sorry to leave this way.
I have so much to say. There’s so much you don’t know about my past, my family, my hometown. I wish I could explain everything to you, but I don’t have the time or the space for that. What you really need to know is I’m taking my family and I’m going to live with my brother. I’m going to give you his phone number. If anything happens to me, please contact him. And whatever you do, don’t let Oliver take them from him.
I’m going to miss you, Patton. Give Logan my love.
Love,
Diana
Janus’s phone number was at the bottom. He couldn’t stop staring at the way she put a line through her sevens, or the way she still drew a heart over the dots on her i’s. And suddenly, months of pent up emotion suddenly burst forward, and he began sobbing. And then Patton’s arms were around him. Janus buried his face in Patton’s chest and felt tears falling onto the top of his head. “I-I’m sorry, I couldn’t s-sleep.”
“I couldn’t either.” Patton stood up and sniffled. Janus wiped away his tears. Patton looked at his feet, then at Janus, then at the ground again. “Do you.... Maybe.... Want to sleep in my room. With me. Tonight? I just-- you look so much like her and I don’t want to be alone tonight.” Patton exhaled slowly. “I’m sorry, that’s so weird.” Janus shook his head.
“I miss her, too,” he said. “You... You really don’t mind if I stay with you?” Patton shook his head. Janus took a deep breath, stood up, and grabbed Patton’s hand. “I.... I don’t want to be alone, either.” Patton smiled gratefully, and led Janus up to his room. They slid under Patton’s Steven Universe sheets. Janus cuddled close to him and rested his head on Patton’s chest. Patton wrapped his arms around Janus, and they fell asleep together.
63. Routine Kisses Where The Other Person Presents Their Cheek/Forehead For The Hello/Goodbye Kiss Without Even Looking Up From What They’re Doing -- with Logicality?
Rushed Mornings
Warnings: Food/eating mention, kissing (on the cheek).
“Roman, your sword does not go to school with you.”
“Awe, why not?”
“Because it’s a sword, foam or not.”
“Can I at least have it in the car? What’s a knight without his noble sword? Oh, what if a dragon attacks us on our way to school? We’d all be completely helpless!”
“—fine, you can have it in the car. But it stays there.”
“Thanks, Papa!”
“Virgil, did you eat something for breakfast?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Did you really?”
“…no.”
“Go get something to eat. You’re not going to school on an empty stomach.”
Logan let out a long suffering sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Trying to get both of his sons ready for school in the morning was enough of a fiasco. It was, however, a normal routine and one he had grown used to.
Took the kids to school, dropped them off, then went to work for the day.
Surprisingly enough they were ahead of schedule by about five minutes, which was good news. Which gave them just a little bit more of extra time than usual to try and get into the car.
The mornings were never usually too much of a fight to get Roman and Virgil to school, it was more getting Roman to put his stuffed dragon and foam sword down and Virgil out of bed.
It was mostly, what Patton had dubbed, a “tag team” effort between both parents. Patton usually had more success getting Virgil out of bed, and vice versa with himself and Roman, but there were days where Logan was the only one that could convince their oldest to get out of bed, and Patton could coax Roman to leave his things behind and keep them in his toy and costume chest.
Finally, after a few minutes had passed, Roman was sitting on the bench-stool in the mudroom and Virgil had half a granola bar in his hand with his backpack slung over his shoulders.
Logan was knelt down, helping Roman tie the laces of his shoes. The kid had just turned five, but his laces were still a bit too difficult for him. Which was fine. Virgil hadn’t figured out how to tie his shoes until he was six.
“…and that’s when the dragon came down and was about to grab the knight,” Roman told him, explaining the his dream from last night. (To be fair, Logan wasn’t sure if it really was a dream he had had, or if he was just telling a story. Either way, it was entertaining.) “But then the knight stuck his magic sword up into the dragon’s chest and then it turned into a prince!”
Virgil snorted off to the side and Logan gave him a pointed look, to which the seven-year-old stuck another chunk of granola bar into his mouth.
“That’s fascinating, Roman,” Logan told him, watching Roman beam at him. His two front teeth were missing, but that didn’t dim the bright smile. He twisted the laces quickly and precisely into bows that would stay done up. “What happened afterward?”
“Um,” the little brows pinched forward at that. “They got married and lived happily ever after. Just like you and Daddy!”
“Gross,” Virgil muttered beside him, finishing off the granola bar and stuffing the wrapper into his backpack.
“I think it’s cute,” Patton said, coming up behind the oldest boy and laying his hands on Virgil’s shoulders, before playfully ruffling the boy’s hair, even as he squawked about it. “You’ll understand when you’re older, Virge.”
“I hope not,” Virgil grumbled, fixing his hair and ducking away from Patton before he could mess with his hair again. “It’s so gross. I’m gonna live on my own for the rest of my life.”
Logan chuckled lightly, pushing himself up after finishing with Roman’s laces and opened the front door. Roman slid off of the bench before nabbing Virgil by the hand and tugging him out the door—of course, not before Patton managed to swoop in and give his boys a quick goodbye hug.
As much as Virgil whined about it, Logan watched as the kid listened to Roman’s fantastical stories about something or other.
And thankfully, Roman had forgotten about his foam sword and left it at the door. Picking up, as well as the stuffed dragon, he passed them over to Patton, who only set them on the couch to the side of him.
“Have a good day at work,” he told him, straightening out Logan’s collar. “I won’t be home until later, so would you be able to pick the boys up today?”
“Certainly.”
Logan leaned slightly to the side, making sure Virgil and Roman had gotten into the car. He glanced back into the mudroom mirror, fixing his tie so it sat straighter on his front he adjusted his glasses before moving his hand just enough to allow Patton to press a kiss against the side of his face.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Logan told him, gathering his work bag up. “I hope your interview goes well.”
“Thanks Lo,” Patton stepped back from the door after passing Logan his keys. That loving summery smile bright and warm.
Feeling that lightness in his chest, Logan turned and left the house. Shutting the door, he helped buckle Roman into his car seat—whom of which was still happily chattering at Virgil about a prince and a knight and something else.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, Logan set his things on the empty passenger seat before starting the car.
While his children were unorganized and stubborn and his husband was the living definition of a warm embrace and smothering comfort, Logan wouldn’t change a thing about it.
