I'm baaaack. How's everyone doing? A reminder to all, please remain safe today. Now, on with the ang- I mean show.-😈

Janus woke with a start from a knock on the door. His heart was pounding before he remembered where he was. Logan waved from the chair, sitting near the crackling fireplace.

"Good morning," Logan said quietly, looking up from his book. Janus calmed his breaths.

"Who's that?" Janus asked, pointing at the door, where the knocking continued.

"Oh, it's likely Mr. Winterstone, he's been helping me since-sorry," Logan said immediately, wincing. Janus felt his heart cry out again, but he ignored it.

"I see." Janus changed the subject. "Were we supposed to sleep in the bed together?"

"Probably," Logan admits. Janus's eyes widened and motion at Logan to come into the bed.

"Get in here!" He hissed. "They can't see us like this." Logan flinched at his tone, but went over, sitting on the bed.

"Sorry," Logan mumbled. Janus ran a hand through his hair, exhausted, flopping backwards.

"It's alright, I'm just stressed. I'm sorry I snapped." Logan nodded, still looking away from him. The knocking stopped and the door opened. A figure shuffled in through the door, opening the shades.

"Why is it so dark in here, he normally gets up early," the voice grumbles. The windows open and light floods into the room, everything illuminated.

Janus stares at Roman, Roman avoids his gaze, and Logan awkwardly shifts in the bed, still not comfortable. The silence is deafening. Slowly, Logan pulls out a book to read. And immediately, as though the universe thought this was some hilarious joke, Patton walks in.

"Logan sweetheart? Are you alright? You never sleep in," Patton says, worried. Logan shook his head.

"No father, I was waiting for Janus to awaken." Roman still wasn't looking up but retreated politely to a corner. Patton's gaze flickers across the room.

"Well he's awake now isn't he?" Logan flinches again.
"Yes, father. Mr. Prince was just preparing his clothes," He says, eyes darting to Janus and Roman, both staring in various directions. "He needed a minute to catch his breath."

"How many times must I tell you Logan, you do not need to be polite to SERVANTS," Patton said. Roman tuned it out, used to Patton's insults. Janus's face reddened, angry.

"Yes, because why treat the people who work for you with common human decency," Janus mutters under his breath. Patton's gaze shifts towards him as Roman looks up in interest.

"What did you say?" Logan's eyes widened.

"He said he wanted to get ready soon," Logan lied, shifting in the bed as he maintained eye contact. Patton laughs softly.

"Do I look stupid to you Logan?"

"No, but that's really what he sa-"

Patton glances at Roman for a second. "You're dismissed, come back later, if you please." The tone is condescending, but Roman doesn't wait to be asked again, darting from the tension heavy room. "Don't lie to me," Patton smiles. "It never ends well." Beside Janus, Logan quivering, breathing heavily. "Want to try again?"

"I swear, he said th-" Patton's smile grew.

"So now I'm stupid? You want to treat me like I'm stupid?" Patton laughs softly again. "Then I'll treat you like a child." Patton's hand clamps around Logan's wrist. His eyes seize up with panic, but he tries to remain calm. Janus's eyes dart around the room. "Pick your favorite books please." At this point, Janus can see the moving of Logan, completely shaking. He points at a whole row of books. Patton hums, grabbing them all, and dumping them into the burning fire place.

Janus gapes at the scene, but Logan remains impassive, quivering gone. Patton doesn't apologize.

"When you apologize for lying, I might get you new copies, understood?" Logan nods, stilted. "I expect one by dinner tonight." With that, Patton's gone. Logan sits on the ground, watching the fire burn and eat his books. Janus goes up to him.

"Logan?" Logan stares into the fire quietly.

"Mr. Prince should be back soon, and he can show you your clothing before we go to breakfast. Both my fathers will be there." The words come out of his mouth, but Logan hardly seems to speak. "I'll start getting ready myself."
By the time Logan was ready, Roman was back and helping Janus find clothes, avoiding his gaze.

"I apologize for my father's making you leave earlier. We just happened to be in a small disagreement. Thank you for waiting," Logan said politely, any sign of pain gone.

"It's fine," Roman says, dropping Logan's title on purpose. Logan ignores it, as Janus goes into the other room.

"Oh just so you know, I accidently dropped one of my books into the fire, so there might be a few ashes." Roman glances over at the empty bookshelf with a raised eyebrow.

"Only one?" Normally it would be a bit sarcastic, but right now the words are cold and clipped. Logan winced, but didn't look down, remaining calm.

"Yes, thank you Mr. Prince."

"Yeah, congratulations," He mutters, leaving with an angry look. When Janus comes back out, Logan opens the door leading Janus.

"Follow me."