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Virgil liked his new room. It was bigger than his childhood one, and also way cooler.
Janus lent him money last Halloween, when the stores were selling decorations that he couldn't afford, rarely thinking of shoplifting. He did, once or twice, but that's beside the point. What Janus didn't know wouldn’t hurt her. If she only knew that the makeup he normally wears was from a stolen palette, she would’ve laughed even louder. Well, he liked the messines of the dark shade, sue him!
They were living together, not longer with their parents for two years now. The house belonged to their grandmother who moved to a retirement home. She was also a gothic freak like them, so furniture, cushions, even wallpaper reeked of dust and was full of cobwebs. That didn't matter to them anyway, they've started joking about being related to the Addams family and just bought better vacuum cleaners.
Virgil tried to pass another online exam when the door ringtone echoed all over the hall. Probably the last person that hadn't heard it, was the legal owner… and Janus that drowned out the noise with the sewing machine she was using in her room.
He closed his eyes and tried to act like a corpse, so the unwanted visitor at the door would give up and walk away. He even considered stopping breathing for a moment when he heard the front door creak.
That's not good.
He got up from the cushions that were scattered all over the floor and paused what he was doing on the laptop, sending it one last gloomy look.
Then, he slowly moved to the door, facing a man wearing a leather jacket. He was a lot taller than Virgil, but Virgil was still a growing teenager so it wasn't unusual. Apart from the old jacket with patches that were screaming for a beating, the man was wearing torn pants and heavy boots. He was wearing dark glasses that were lightly covered by a flowing curly dark fringe with a light strand. One corner of his mouth lifted up. He looked very laid back.
Virgil thought this guy had a face he would really want to punch, not because there was anything wrong with it itself. But just because it was Remuses, and he was a dick.
Shaking off his shock, Virgil stuffed his hands into the pockets of his blouse and approached him.
-Get out.- he hissed, fighting his fists clenching as he looked at Remus, who took off his glasses and burst out laughing.
-What an adorable emo. Where’s your sister? - his voice was rough, he looked tired. Upon discovering his face, Virgil could see the bags under his eyes as well as the smudged makeup around them. The right eye was what scared him. All swollen and black.
Remus shifted from foot to foot and smiled uncomfortably.
-You should’ve seen the other guy. - he joked, but Virgil didn't smile at that. He had a love-hate relationship with Remus Sanders. They knew each other well. Remus was Januses best friend for what felt like a decade. Then he was her boyfriend. Then fiancé. And husband for a quick, short time. So Virgil liked to believe that he knew him. Although, there wasn’t an explanation as to why after annoying him for such a long time, he disappeared. He didn't have much time to think about that; he needed to pull himself together to help Janus in doing it herself.
She was crushed, betrayed, disappointed. Then, for a long time, she was silent. Her ring disappeared, but the memories burned and now the past caught up to them in their safe place.
There was one thing that hadn't changed in Virgil’s impression of Remus;
Remus Sanders was always a massive arsehole. -I’m contemplating whether I should correct your bruise on your right eye or give it a twin on the other. - Virgil sighed and moved away from the man. Maybe because he was emitting a terrible smell, or maybe because despite what an idiot Remus was, he wasn't a terrible threat. At least if there was nothing flammable in his hand.
-So, horror boy? Your sister? - he put his glasses in his jacket pocket and tilted his head to the side. Virgil noticed a new eyebrow ring. His mustache had bits of glitter. Virgil looked down at his hands. There was a snake-shaped ring on one finger.
Oh what a fucker.
-She doesn't want to see you.- he disagreed and wouldn't let Remus pass. The man just patted him on the shoulder and pushed his way into the living room.
-That's too bad, kid, because I’m not going to leave till she’ll have me.- he walked over to the sofa, avoiding the pillows, and collapsed onto it.
-Are you delusional? She won't ever have you back, just get out and live your sad pathetic life you’ve chosen. - He leaned against the wall, staring at the man who focused his attention on the laptop.
-Oh man, is that physics?- he asked, taking the laptop in his hands and setting it on his stomach as he started to solve the tasks - Aw you should really have some kind of a tutor. You're thinking in the right way, but you can’t avoid minor mistakes that mess up the whole equation.
-Yes, well, maybe my tutor left his wife, my sister and fucked off somewhere where he wasn't much of a help.- He mumbled and moved towards the sofa, kicking Remus' legs off and sitting next to him watching his work in silence.
-So, Janus. Is she home? Remus broke the awkward atmosphere after a while, saving changes to the test and setting the laptop back on the table.
-If I say she's not, will you leave?- Virgil asked, taking his hood off his head, staring at the man.
-Probably not, purple hood.- He smiled sadly and put his hand in his pocket looking for something when an object whistled near his ear.
Remus quickly stood up and took his hands out of his jacket to look at the object that almost hit him. The kitchen knife had struck an old bookcase.
Virgil turned his head so fast that it hurt his neck, but the rage that leaked from the person throwing sharp objects stopped him from groaning.
-Darling!- Remus held out his arms, staring down at the shorter figure, that was murdering him with eyes.
-YOU ABSOLUTE SHIT OF A MAN- She screamed, throwing herself on him while trying to strangle him.
Virgil immediately got up, but stopped when he saw the scene that was happening on the floor. Remus was kissing Janus while she was lying on top of him and started pulling his hair so hard, she almost stripped him of it.
The concern left his body when he heard the first moan. Not sure from which one it was coming from, but he moved away from the pair, quickly put on sneakers in the hall and ran out of the house not wanting to see anything else.
He was back after an hour of wandering around town. Janus wrote him a text that the house was not a crime scene, which he did not quite believe.
Entering the apartment, he heard neither moans nor screams which could mean a close encounter with a dead body or at least Remus lying unconscious. However, he was surprised to find Remus lying on Janus' bed, hugging a frozen pack of peas against his swollen eye, as well as a red cheek that was definitely not there before he left.
-She's in the kitchen making tea. - Remus explained by greeting him with a nod.
-She’s probably putting poison in it while we speak.- Virgil quipped as he entered the room.
-I wouldn't count on anything else.- He smiled, pushing away the frozen packaging.
-So... the conversation wasn't nearly as bad as it could be.- Remus added. Now he wasn't wearing his jacket. It was also not in plain sight in the room. It could still be in the living room or was thrown out of the window by Janus. It was hard to tell.
-She threw a knife at you. And your cheek looks like it was met with a wall. How much worse could a conversation with her go?- He asked in disbelief. Janus was a complex person, but she wasn't as cruel as she liked to think. Her childhood idol was Carrie, before parents banned her from horror books, but then she discovered real stories of women in history that were trying to fight with patriarchy which only made her even more creative.
-She didn't mean to kill me. She could’ve hit- A thoughtful look crossed his face as he shrugged -Perhaps maim me.
-She threw it at your head!!- He screamed in disbelief.
-Why yes she did, my dear Virgil. Wasn't she brilliant? - Remus' grin finally let Virgil calm down. His stiff muscles relaxed. He even allowed himself a sigh, taking the hood off his head, shaking his head so hair could cover his face. He thought it looked cool, and edgy. Like a rogue.
Remus Sanders wore his heart on his sleeve. You could easily see when he was upset or bored. He often used to break the stoic attitude just to tell not always moral but always disturbing facts. Nevermind that, he was family.
-So, how was jail?- He asked without taking the suffering man out of his eyes.
- I didn't drop the soap if that's what you're asking. Not once, kid.-He answered proudly, pushing his chest forward.
-You probably never used it in the first place, you allergic freak.- They were interrupted by the voice of Janus when she entered the room carrying two steaming mugs.
If Virgil, wearing dark clothes and a patched up hoodie, was eye-catching on the street, Janus was the person that was always the talk of the town. Complicated outfits, pinned skirts, corsets, Victorian like shirts. Platinum hair with black strands in braids that wrap around her head. Dark makeup, high boots. Lots of jewelry on the neck, wrists, and hair.
Even so, Janus was like a chameleon. Depending on her phase, she obtained clothes from different eras. The twenties were, according to their mother, the most flattering ones. Janus learned how to sew from their grandmother, which allowed her to develop the history of costume. Thanks to that, every Halloween costume Virgil had worn since he was 9, won the hearts of his neighbors, resulting in giving him more sweets than the others.
The three of them always looked interesting standing next to each other. They have a picture of Janus and Remus prom;
Virgil under 12 in his Nightmare Before Christmas pajamas, Janus in a full Victorian outfit and Remus wearing a cane, top hat, frock coat with a rose in his mouth.
Remus has a twin. The strangest garment Virgil has seen on Roman was his William Shakespear outfit. Although on a daily basis, Roman wore a red jacket and sometimes changed his polo shirts. At best. Virgil always thought that Remus couldn't be himself when he was in the shadow of Roman.
When Remus started dating Janus, he started attending their family holidays. He always brought the strangest gifts for Christmas or birthdays. Virgil still had every card and present he got.
-Darling! - Remus rose from his position, making room for her on the bed. Janus smiled cynically, handed one of the mugs to Virgil, who thanked her softly, watching how the situation of the two would unfold.
Despite what Virgil had thought, Janus didn't pour the hot drink on her wretched husband's pants, but handed him the mug, sitting down next to him and patted his cheek a few times.
-Please save your breath. You'll probably need it when I will feel like screaming at you again. - She said softly, taking his cup and drinking from it. Virgil knew that Remus didn't mind.
-Does Roman know you're back?- Virgil asked, when no one said anything.
Remus looked sheepishly, and rubbed his neck with his hand. -Not yet. Mamã knows though, we've been pen pals throughout the last months. - he put the dripping sack of vegetables back on the cupboard and wrapped his arms around Janus's waist, placing his chin on her shoulder. -Talking about letters. Thank you Virgil for the memes you were sending. Really top notch.-
The boy blushed and covered his eyes with his disheveled fringe, sipping his tea in discomfort. He liked to be praised by Remus, but he would have never admitted it aloud.
-So, what's your plan, fresh outta jail dumb husband of mine?- Janus bent her arm to be able to stroke his hair, to which Remus only leaned closer to her neck, kissing it.
-Probably contact a lawyer, sue the company. Fight for my lab. Annoy Logan. Go to a horror marathon with Virgil. Take you to the honeymoon we've never had. You know, the basics.-
Remus fit them like a puzzle, if they ever were puzzles. He was loud, unpredictable and energetic. He loved slashers, weird facts, and taxidermy. On one of Virgil's graduation, Remus bought him a skirt that Virgil was eyeing for a long time, but was scared of actually wearing. Remus bought a bigger size for himself and wore it the same day Virgil did. He liked how safe he felt that day.
-I've missed you.- He said when Janus was not in sight. Remus hugged him, almost breaking his bones and fake cried. - I take that back!- he screamed trying to get out of the embrace.