There's the song Janus plays! I know it's a cover song, but I like it qwq

In the stock room, Janus idly browsed through the selection of necklaces as Remy gossiped. Remy was probably his best friend, after Virgil, of course, and he always had the talk of the town for Janus to hear. Besides, he didn't fawn over Janus like the servants at his home or the people of the village. He treated him like a normal teenager. It was one of the most welcoming experiences ever.

"Ooh, and then, have I told you about this pretty boy I saw in the travelling circus that's making a stop here?"

Janus shook his head. "No."

"His name's Emile, I think he works with all the animals. He's so sweet and he's got such pretty freckles. I wonder if I can convince him to stay in town after the show," Remy mused.

"Just get on your knees and beg," Janus teased, playfully, holding up a necklace to examine it. "Maybe you'll look so pathetic, he'll say yes."

Remy scoffed friendly. "Well, you can say that, can't you? You're used to people begging you to date them."

Janus nodded. "Yeah, the pleading is always a turn-off. But..." He bit his lip, hesitatingly, as a familiar voice filled his memory. The noble boy shook his head slightly, trying to banish the thoughts but it didn't work, and he could feel his face growing warm.

Instantly, the jewellers' apprentice sidled up to him, with a ridiculous smirk. "But~?" He trilled curiously.

"But... There's, um... a suggestive stableboy who I ran into last week," Janus admitted, glancing down at the gemstone in the necklace he was holding shyly. "He's been talking to me, recently. A-a lot."

Remy grinned. "Ooh, stammering, are we? Are a few dirty suggestions all one needs to catch the uncatchable Janus Adders?"

"I mean, I'm not interested!" Janus quickly yelped, turning to his friend with a bright red face. "He just- He just doesn't quit and he's, well..." He felt his mind wander back to all the times he had encountered Remus. A small bubble of fondness began to swell inside him, but Janus popped it quickly. He wasn't going to let this boy win. "It's actually kind of creepy," He sniffed, voice turning cold. "He's even gone outside my bedroom window at one point."

With a shrug, Remy sighed. "Well, that's the problem. For every cute boy, there's a creepy one to boot."

"What gemstone is this?" Janus asked smoothly, changing the conversation lightly.

Remy peered at it. "I think that's an onyx stone-"

"Really?" Janus gasped in genuine interest, cutting off his friend. "Wow, the two-tone in the colouring is really incredible. I mean, I knew you could get onyx stones that were black and white but I never thought I'd actually find one! And it goes so well with the silver chain. It's simple but stunning, how amazing!"

Remy smiled at his gushing friend. When Janus found a pretty gem, he seemed almost childlike in his excitement. It wasn't very often that one could see him with his guard down. Usually, he was stuck rigidly to a cold, uninterested persona. Those he smiled at should treasure the memory of it and Remy knew it. It was a shame, in his opinion, that he didn't smile more.

"Did you know," Janus kept going with a beam, "That most onyx stones are dyed to make its' colour uniform? I've never liked that, it's stopping their natural beauty."

"Do you want it, then?" Remy laughed.

Janus nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely!"

Lady Adders calmly left the shop, Janus behind her obediently, putting on his new necklace. The lady smiled at her son warmly. "It looks lovely, sweetheart."

"I do quite like it," Janus hummed happily, a soft smile still lingering. "Thank you for taking me out with you."

"Oh, I just remembered," His mother said, snapping her fingers. She turned to her son with a smile. "It's Lady Mirnings' party tonight. When I get back from spending time with my friends, may you please be ready to go immediately? It'll be so useful."

Janus hesitated, glancing up at his smiling mother, feeling a little hurt. "But you said you'd listen to my piano when you got back," He protested weakly.

"I know, I know, I'm so sorry," She apologised. The apology was genuine. That was probably why it hurt more. "I shouldn't have gotten your hopes up, I simply forgot! But, remember what we discussed over dinner the other night. Next month, your father and I will make sure we have a spare evening to hear you play!"

The noble boy nodded, bowing his head sadly. "Yes, Mummy. I'll be ready to go when you return."

His mother beamed and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, sweetheart! To make it up to you, I'll let you take the carriage home!" Janus glanced up. "I was going to use it to get around town with the girls," Lady Adders chatted idly, "But I'm sure a bit of walking won't hurt. Is that okay?"

"Yes, Mummy. That's fine," Janus replied.

"Thank you, sweetheart. Well, in you get!" She gestured to the carriage. "I'll see you when I get home, okay?"

Janus nodded and climbed into the carriage. A servant shut the door for him, and Janus let out a soft sigh. His mother waved him goodbye before borrowing a servant to accompany her around town. The carriage started rolling away from the jewellers and Janus drew the small velvet curtains across the windows.

Then a tear slipped down his face. He didn't know why, but he felt extremely low. With a small sniff, he wiped it away and scowled. There was no way he was going to cry. It would look awful. Tilting his head back, he stared firmly at the ceiling of the carriage, trying his hardest not to let the sad feeling spread. There was no need to be sad. 

It was fine.

When he got home, he was assisted out of the carriage by the familiar boy from earlier. He didn't say a word to him, or anyone else. He just waved his hand at them airily and they obediently began to lead the horses away, beginning to murmur amongst themselves.

Ignoring them, Janus walked quickly inside, closing the door quietly. He then sighed loudly and wandered into the First Library.

The First Library wasn't as big as the Second Library. In fact, it wasn't much of a library at all. It had a few bookcases, but they were stacked mostly with gifts and ornaments. The room was incredibly comfortable and had a perfect view of the eastern wings' garden through the long, high windows. Janus opened one of them, letting the small breeze waft in. The sun caught his new necklace making it wink up at him.

The chandelier was ornate and large, with translucent pearls hanging off it. Currently, it was unlit, as the natural daylight was easily enough, and Janus knew it was rarely lit anyway, as only he used the First Library at night but even then, he usually just lit the small candle that sat upon his piano.

His piano was the only reason he used this room. Yes, the house had plenty of grand pianos but Janus had always favoured this one. It seemed normal at first but, when inspected closer, it was truly the most beautiful piano in the whole manor.

Its' wood was painted black and it had the most beautiful carvings carved into its' smooth surface. The carving Janus liked the most was the geometric ribbon, that ran across its' entire body. The keys were old, yet sturdy, and the stand to place music sheets was rose gold. At first, it was just a black grand piano, but Janus loved it. The candle sitting on top of it in its' holder was nearly completely gone. It was no more than melted wax and a stub of wick left.

Janus lifted the lid off the piano keys and sat down in the seat. He played a few notes, checking it was all in tune. He smiled when he found it was.

The noble boy didn't need music sheets anymore for many songs. He had memorised them, note for note, and loved showing Virgil whenever his friend wasn't busy. However, Virgil wasn't here today, so it was just him alone.

An amber butterfly fluttered in through the window, perching at the top of the music stand. Janus smiled at it and began to play. His fingers hit the keys and the music lit up the silent room. 

Servants in the hallway, doing their chores, paused and listened. Janus may not know it, but he always had a small audience. All the workers in the household would never tell him, but they listened to him play whenever they were in earshot. It was one of the only times the young master seemed at peace and they enjoyed not being lectured by him. Sure, they didn't like him at all - he was rude, arrogant and harsh - but they couldn't deny that his skills with the piano were incredible.

The song was, by Janus's' standards, not complex or hard. It had an easy rhythm that one could play without thinking too much about, and it was only around four minutes long. He breezed through it, with his eyes literally closed.

When playing the piano, he felt calm. He didn't feel happy, sad or angry. He just felt calm and Janus loved that feeling more than anything. Getting more and more invested into the piece, he swayed back and forth with the music, his new necklace rocking around in the air.

Then, he played the final few bars and the magic was over. It was silent again.

Janus sighed loudly, and hit his forehead on the middle keys, making a cacophonic sound blare through the room briefly and the eavesdropping servants jump and get back to work. Several butterflies had entered the room now, flapping delicately about. They were all a brilliant shade of amber, gold and yellow, and they were beautiful. Janus sighed again, picking his head back up and looking down at the piano.

He began to play the same song again, the servants outside easing closer, when a voice from the window called out, "Play something different!"

Janus jolted with a small scream and the servants outside instantly began to pray for the safety of whoever interrupted. "You again!" Janus yelped, fixing Remus with an angry glare. "What are you doing here?"

"Do you want the honest version or the other version?"

"The honest version."

Remus smiled at him. "I kept thinking about you, so I came to see if I could find you again. I've been looking around for an hour, then I saw you open the window, so I came to spy on you. You're pretty when you're playing the piano. You stop scowling for once."

Janus rolled his eyes haughtily, turning back to the piano. "I don't always scowl."

The stable boy kicked off his dirty shoes before clambering in through the open window. "Yeah, you do. Like, whenever you see me."

Janus shot him a stern look. "Maybe I don't like you."

"Aw, c'mon, I'm not that bad, am I?" Remus laughed, walking behind him and wrapping his arms around Janus's' shoulders, leaning down close to him. "I thought we were getting somewhere in our relationship last time..." He said lowly in Janus's' ear.

The nobles' face went bright red as Remus's' breath tickled his face and he shoved him off arrogantly. "D-don't touch me, I've no idea where you've been," He stammered haughtily.

Outside, the servants who'd been listening in gave each other a look. Usually, the young master would've snapped at the stable boy and probably would've threatened to fire him. But, instead, he was talking to him, if a little rudely, and letting him interrupt his piano practice.

Remus didn't listen to his orders, resting his chin on Janus's' shoulder and slinging his arms around his waist. "Can you play another song?" He asked curiously.

At first, Janus considered ignoring him, but then he sighed. "Yes. I can play a lot of pieces."

"Play another one," Remus said.

Janus glared at him.

"Please?"

The noble boy sighed loudly but then he began to play again. The piece was different from the last one, as requested. Janus closed his eyes once more, letting his fingers play without a worry. With this song, he always hit the keys harder, rocking back and forth instead of side to side. He could feel Remus knotting his fingers together against his stomach and it made his face go red, but he ignored it, making sure not to hit a single wrong note.

For a moment, it sounded like the piece had finished but it sprang back to life in its' dying notes with new vigour before ending.

https://youtu.be/PZaay1FDgHg

(There's the song he plays - Personally, I think the original version matches their relationship in this book currently, so I had to include it)

Janus opened his eyes, avoiding looking at Remus, and said, "There," quietly.

Remus smiled at him. "You're gorgeous."

"And you're a pest," Janus retorted.

The stable boy moved one hand away from Janus's' stomach to scoop up the noble's' new necklace in a palm that looked rough from manual work. "This is pretty, too. You like jewellery, don't you?"

"I'm allowed to have trivial indulgences," Huffed Janus, but his face softened as he plucked the necklaces' pendant from Remus's' hand.

"What's your name?" Remus asked.

Janus glanced down at him. "I'm not telling you my name."

"Your hands are really soft," Continued Remus, leaning his head into Janus's' neck as he took Janus's' hands in his. "They feel like I could tear the skin by brushing my fingers against them too hard." The noble boy was red up to his ears as Remus's' thumbs rubbed at his skin. "So you're not a servant," The stable boy murmured thoughtfully, playing lightly with Janus's' fingers. "Are you visiting the manor?"

"No," Janus whispered, his voice caught in his throat. He wasn't used to someones' undivided attention like this. He'd never been in a situation like this before either. Shyly, he glanced away. "A-And I'm still not interested in you i-in that way at all..."

Remus looked up at him, then let go of his hands and pulling away. However, he didn't leave Janus's' side. Instead, he sat on the other end of Janus's' bench, where he sat to play the piano, and leaned in close. "You are surprisingly timid when it comes down to it. I didn't expect that." There was a tense silence between the two and the stable boy grinned coyly. "Are we about to kiss right now?"

Janus's' face went even redder and he scowled at Remus, shoving him off the bench. "Ew! You are disgusting! Of course not, I don't even like you! You're a bother, honestly!"

Laughing loudly, Remus picked himself up off the floor, completely unhindered. "And you're absolutely stunning. I've gotta get back to work, darling, but I'll be back."

"Oh, I bet you will," Janus growled, sweeping his hair back pridefully. "You never go away."

"Determination and stubbornness have always been my most positive traits," Remus agreed. "Trust me, sweetheart, you'll tell me your name and I'll get a kiss from you too!"

Janus rolled his eyes, closing the pianos' lid. "You can try. Besides, I don't like you. You're annoying."

Remus laughed, walking over to the window. "Whatever you say, pretty boy. I'll get you one day, I promise!"

The noble boy stuck out his tongue pettily and Remus blew him a kiss before escaping out of the window. Outside, in the hallway, the servants all exchanged glances. That was interesting.