Just a short chapter I wrote for new year.
CW: child abandonment, homelessness
Pairings: romantic/platonic DLAMP, romantic anxceit
Happy New Year everyone, I hope you have a great day/night and I hope 2021 brings everyone better tidings <3
Masterpost
Janus ignored the urge to straighten his bowtie before walking up the small path that led to the house. As much as he wished he could make some final adjustments to his look, his hands were currently full, with flowers on one side and his cane on the other. He figured dropping either to fiddle with his bowtie would be a rather ridiculous look.
It would be fine, he told himself. It was just a small celebration at their house, it didn't matter how he looked. They loved him, they wouldn’t judge him.
And oh, those words. They loved him.
The thought made him simultaneously want to leap with happiness and run for the hills as fast as he could. It was so terrifyingly new and at the same time it felt so comfortably familiar. The phone calls that lasted way longer than they should. The bad days when all of them came over and baked him bread. The banter over the comms when he was too tired to join in on patrol. They loved him.
A raven haired head popping itself out the door distracted him from his brooding.
“Dude, are you just gonna spend the whole evening standing in our garden or are you gonna come in?” Virgil asked.
“I was just admiring the flowers,” Janus drawled.
Virgil raised a disbelieving eyebrow.
“Come in, everyone’s waiting for you.”
He stepped inside and handed Virgil the flowers.
“Aww, are those for us? How sweet,” Virgil cooed.
Janus definitely didn’t blush. “It’s polite.”
“It’s romantic,” Virgil teased.
“Virgil,” Janus sighed, trying to sound exasperated but only managing to sound fond.
“Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Come on, I need to start frying the gulab jamun.”
“You’re making gulab jamun?” Janus asked, pleasantly surprised. They were apparently a famed treat in this household.
“Yeah,” Virgil stopped when he walked into Roman.
“And now he shows up,” Virgil snarked “Here, go put these in a vase, I have dessert to attend to.” He shoved the flowers into Roman’s hands and quickly disappeared into the kitchen.
Roman beamed at Janus.
“Hello darling,” He purred “You look absolutely stunning.”
“You are not allowed to use that nickname, it’s mine, I licensed it,” Janus protested.
“Oh, but I just love the way it flusters you, darling.”
Janus could feel the heat creeping all the way from under his collar up to his cheeks. Roman was definitely getting back at him for all the times Janus had flustered him in costume.
“Roman, stop,” Janus sighed as he gently pushed his shoulder.
Roman just chuckled and led him into the living room, where Logan was arranging some snacks.
“Guess who arrived!” Roman announced to the entire house.
Logan looked over and smiled brightly.
“Hello Janus, you look good.”
“As do you,” Janus complimented as he walked over to shake his hand. Logan ignored the proffered hand and pulled him into a hug.
Well, okay. He hadn’t seen that one coming.
Of all four of them, Logan was the least keen on physical contact. Patton and Roman were always going in for surprise hugs and even Virgil would frequently rest his head on Janus’s shoulder. But Janus had only ever seen Logan hug his boyfriends. And that one memorable time when Janus had nearly drowned and Logan had cuddled him to keep him warm, but he really prefered not to think about that.
“Will you be joining us for patrol?” Logan asked when he pulled away.
“No, not today.” Janus lifted his cane a bit to illustrate his point.
Logan nodded understandingly. “We’ll be happy to have you on comms for tonight.”
Janus made his way into the kitchen, where Patton was sliding something into the oven as Roman bothered him.
“You can’t bake something at 1800 degrees, Roman, that’s not how baking works.” Patton sighed. He noticed Janus entering the kitchen and beamed at him.
“Dee!” Patton smiled at him. “I’m so happy you’re here. Food’s nearly ready. ”
“Why not? 10 minutes at 180 degrees equals 1 minute at 1800 degrees. That’s how math works.” Roman interjected.
“Well, it’s not how ovens work,” Virgil groaned, from where he was bent over the frying pan, a little closer to the hot oil than was probably safe.
“If you guys would just listen to me, food would be ready in a minute,” Roman sighed.
“Virgil’s right, sweetie, that’s not how ovens work,” Patton said.
Virgil stuck his tongue out.
“Very mature,” Janus laughed.
Eventually, when all the food had been baked at an acceptable temperature, they gathered around the table.
“So, does anyone have any new year’s resolutions?” Patton asked them.
“New year’s resolutions are just a festive way of lying to yourself. Nobody actually keeps them,” Janus said.
“See! He gets it,” Virgil said triumphantly.
“Come on,” Patton pleaded, “humour me.”
Virgil sighed and rolled his eyes, but Janus could see the fondness in them.
“Well, my new year’s resolution is to take more time to read books I’ve been meaning to read. I have a whole pile of interesting paperbacks,” Logan went first.
“Of course you would choose something so nerdy,” Roman teased, “My resolution is to spend as much time as possible with you, my loves,” He swept a grand gesture over the room and Janus tried not to think about how he was somehow included in that, “and I vow to give you all the kisses and hugs you deserve.”
“Well, next year I resolve to make better bad decisions and to remember to write 2021 instead of 2020,” Patton chimed in with a bright smile, “but in all seriousness, I hope to spend more time writing next year and maybe sign up for some art classes.”
“That’s a great idea, Pat, I might join you for those,” Virgil said.
“See, now you have some new year’s resolutions too.”
“What about you, Janus?” Logan questioned.
“Well, I guess if I have to, I resolve not to kill as many people this year,” He answered sarcastically.
Patton shot him a look. “Try again.”
“Fine,” Janus sighed, “I resolve to read more books, I guess.”
“Splendid resolutions, my dear lord of the lies,” Roman praised.
“Are we going to eat now? We have to patrol in a few hours,” Virgil complained.
“As always, you really have your priorities sorted, Virgil,” Logan said teasingly.
Logan shrugged himself into his costume with precise movements and fastened the cloak at his neck.
“You know, I really don’t get the cloak. Isn’t it awfully impractical?” Janus asked him from where he was draped against the door frame.
“Maybe, but I distinctly remember it coming in handy when you nearly died of hypothermia. How would people say it? It saved you ass?” Logan answered smugly.
“That was one time, you can’t tell me you wear a ridiculous cape,”
“Cloak.”
“Whatever, because someone might fall into the harbour. How often does that even happen?”
“More than you’d think. Also, Batman wears a cloak.”
“Batman is designed by nerds who don’t even know how to throw a punch, it’s a wonder you haven’t tripped over it yet when vaulting over rooftops.”
“Unlike some people who don’t need a cloak to trip when vaulting over rooftops?” Logan asked, voice full of faux innocence.
Janus growled exasperatedly and punched his arm, in the friendly way.
“As much as I love hearing you two bicker, we do need to start patrol,” Roman interrupted.
“Bye, Dee!” Patton hugged him and gave him a quick kiss on the nose before bustling out the door.
Roman and Logan followed in quick succession, pressing kisses to his cheek and forehead. They sauntered out of the room, leaving him reeling with the ease they had done that.
Virgil smirked up at him from where he was sitting at the computer, looking over some police reports.
“What?” Janus asked him.
“Nothing,” Virgil replied with a shit eating grin, “You just look awfully cute when you blush.”
“I’m not cute,” Janus snarled.
“Whatever you say,” Virgil replied as he walked past him. He stopped for a moment, staring into Janus’s eyes. His look didn’t bode well for Janus. He placed a gentle hand on the back of Janus’s neck and then pulled him close.
“Is this okay?” He asked, his eyes drifting to Janus’s lips.
“Very,” Janus managed, his voice a little rough.
Virgil leaned forward and pressed a soft but insistent kiss on his lips. Janus felt himself leaning into it, the sweet taste of honey and saffron overwhelming his senses.
After what felt like a mere fraction of a second, Virgil pulled away. Janus made a small noise of protest and Virgil chuckled.
“Later,” He promised, “I have to go patrol now.”
He walked out the room, leaving Janus feeling lightheaded and wondering if the others were as good at kissing as Virgil. He sincerely hoped so.
~
Patrol was surprisingly uneventful. Generally, the statistics indicated there was a rise in crime around the holiday period. New year itself was always quite a hazardous day, with the large crowd of people out at late hours and the fireworks masking any sounds that could give you away.
Yet this year, Logan had found himself inexplicably looking out to the new year. Maybe it was the fact that a certain former villain had enthusiastically agreed to come over and celebrate.
Whatever the reason, the city had decided to grace them with a calm night and Logan sat on a rooftop ledge, watching Virgil teach Patton a back handspring on the adjoining rooftop.
“Can you do one of those?” Janus asked him over the comms as they watched Patton fall onto his back for the third time.
“They’re not too hard.”
“That doesn’t answer the question, nerd,” Roman chimed into the conversation from where he was checking out an alleyway somewhere.
“I’m sure I could manage it,” Logan sighed.
“Like Patton’s managing this one?” Virgil quipped as Patton landed on the ground once more. Logan was incredibly grateful for the shock absorbent breastplate he wore.
“I nearly got that one!”
“Sure, pat.”
“Shit,” He heard Roman hiss through the comms.
“What?” Janus’s voice was immediately on edge and Logan heard the familiar clicking of keys, telling him Janus was probably pulling up the live feed from Roman’s mask.
“Oh,” He said.
“What’s going on?” Patton asked, righting himself from the wet rooftop.
“A kid,” Roman gasped.
Logan felt his heart clench.
“Is he hurt?” Virgil asked.
“No, not as far as we can see, but he does look malnourished,” Janus explained.
Logan got up and quickly swung down from the rooftop, the others right behind him.
They entered the alleyway, where Roman was crouched in the corner, whispering quietly.
He looked up and gestured for them to stay back. They obliged, Patton sitting down against a wall as Virgil walked a bit further back to make sure no one would enter the small street.
Logan leant against a dumpster bin, trying not to look too threatening.
“It’s alright, we won’t hurt you. Could you just tell me your name?” Roman asked gently.
“My mom told me never to give a stranger my name,” The kid deadpanned.
Logan smiled, if the kid was quipping back, he couldn’t be in too bad a shape.
“Touché” Roman chuckled, “you can call me prince.”
“Like the singer?” The kid asked with an audible chuckle.
“No,” Roman sighed and Logan heard Patton giggle.
“Well, you probably should have chosen a better name then.”
“Probably,” Roman said, “At least give me something I can call you, if you’re not gonna tell me your name.”
The kid thought for a moment. “Fine,” he drawled, “You can call me J.”
“Ok, well J, that corner doesn’t look all that comfortable, if you would come with us, I’m sure we could find you more suitable lodgings.”
“No!” J snapped, fear colouring his voice.
“Why not?” Roman asked, clearly taken aback.
“You’ll just stick me in the system and... they don’t want me there.” J choked up a bit and Logan saw Patton’s eyes fill with sympathy.
“No, we won’t,” Roman promised.
“Oh yeah? What’re you gonna do with me then? Nobody wants some abandoned street rat.” J sighed bitterly. Logan ached at how he seemed to have given up any hope of someone caring for him. The poor kid had clearly been through too much in his life.
“Do you really have no one left?” Roman asked.
“Do you think I’d be sleeping on the streets if someone still cared about me?”
Roman looked back at them helplessly.
“Isn’t there anywhere he could stay on short notice?” Virgil asked.
“I have people,” Janus interjected quietly.
“Dee, no!” Patton exclaimed, “we’re not going to drop some kid off with those thugs you work with.”
“Not like that,” Janus sighed and Logan could almost see him pinching the bridge of his nose, “I know someone who works for me who’s really good with kids. He and his partner have fostered kids before. I think they could help him.”
“Really? You think he’d just be okay with it if we rolled up with a kid?”
“I’d have to discuss it with him first, but I’m certain we can find a home for J, if not with this guy, we’ll definitely find someone else.”
“I could ask my moms,” Patton conceded,” I don’t think they’re up for another kid, but they might know someone who wants to take care of him.”
“And what for tonight? We can’t really show up at someone’s house and just drop him off.” Virgil said.
“Take him to our home,” Logan suggested.
“Are you crazy? That’s a huge security risk,” Virgil burst out.
“We can’t just leave him in the cold to freeze,” Patton protested.
“I have a safe house near where you are, just take him there,” Janus interjected.
“Is that settled then?” Roman asked them from where he was still crouched in the corner, the annoyance clear in his voice.
“Yeah, I think so,” Patton replied.
“Okay kid, let's get moving. We’re taking you to a safehouse near here,” Roman told him.
“Did you explain everything to him?” Logan asked, he really hadn’t heard Roman say anything.
“Of course, you guys were too busy bickering to notice.”
J still regarded them warily and Logan was vaguely worried he was going to bolt the moment they got out of the alleyway.
“Hey,” Logan said, trying not to sound too awkward, “we’re not just going to abandon you to the system. We're heroes and that means we’ll find a way to help anyone.”
J just looked up at him with an unimpressed expression. “Right.” He shouldered past Logan, heading to where Virgil was waiting.
Patton quickly caught up to them, probably because Virgil was looking at the kid like he wanted to flee to the nearest rooftop.
“So you’re really not gonna tell us your name?”
“No.”
“You guys want me to head to the safe house too?” Janus asked, ignoring their chatter.
“We’d love that,” Roman beamed, “We might even be just in time for the new year.”
They got J settled on the ratty couch in the squalid safe house. It wasn’t a terrible safe house, it was actually quite clean. It just clearly wasn’t used for much except the occasional emergency.
Janus arrived quickly, dropping a bag filled with what Logan presumed was food.
J froze when he saw Janus. “Deceit?” He asked and Logan felt his stomach plummet. Of course the kid would be afraid, they had trapped him in a small space together with the city’s most notorious crime lord. It didn’t matter that Janus had never and would never harm a child, his reputation was terrifying enough.
But inexplicably, the kid’s shoulders relaxed and he seemed moderately more at ease.
“You know, most people don’t look so at ease in my presence,” Janus said, clearly also puzzled by the reaction.
J shrugged. “You’re not that bad, you’ve helped a lot of my friends, gave them jobs and places to stay. You do more for the street kids of this city than these heroes.”
Roman gasped in mock offence. Logan shrugged. It made sense, they didn’t have the resources or connections to help kids like J, but Janus had been putting an effort into helping the worst off in their city for years. It seemed his efforts hadn’t gone as unnoticed as they had previously assumed.
Janus grinned at them, his expression smug and then grabbed something from the bag.
“Here,” He held out a soft sweater, “this is for you, it would be a shame if we went through all the trouble of getting you here and then you died from hypothermia.”
“You could just invest in a space heater for this place,” Virgil complained.
“Sure, because this space is used so often. It definitely isn’t a waste of money to purchase heaters for all those safe houses I barely use,” Janus snarked.
J ignored their bickering and sauntered over to the window, pulling the sweater over his head.
“Hey, guys,” Patton interrupted, “I think it’s time.”
Logan looked at the time on the corner of his display. He was right, the clock told him there was only one minute left of this year.
They all gathered round the window, looking out over the city.
“To new beginnings,” Patton announced.
“To new beginnings,” They all replied. J just rolled his eyes.
Logan felt Patton clutch his arm and Janus loop an arm around his waist as bright fireworks exploded over the city skyline. He looked over at his friends, how they stood gathered together, their faces awash with the colours of the fireworks.
And he looked at J, the young kid who was staring at the fireworks as if they were something magical, his hands tangled in the sleeves of his sweater.
Logan promised himself he would do everything to get him a good home, he deserved so much more than the world had given him.
New beginnings, it was a fitting sentiment.
