"Hey Rem?"

"Whaaaat?" Remus asked. Janus laughed slightly.

"I know you don't like it in the bookshop but I promise I'll only get one more book."

Remus eyed the five books Janus was balancing in one arm. "You've said that for the last five books, Jan."

"Yeah but this time I mean it."

Remus let out an over-the-top sigh. Janus laughed. "Ooh, Rem, check it out. Edgar Alan Poe full collection." Janus' smile dropped a little. "20 pounds." He started muttering to himself. "So if I use my voucher on this and then use my 10 pounds on these books, I won't be able to by this and-" Janus blew a breath up through his fringe.

"I could buy it for you." Remus offered.

"Rem, it's £20. That's way too much for you to buy for me."

Remus shrugged. "Not if it's an early Christmas present. Christmas presents have no money value, remember?" He asked, grinning.

"Rem, even as a present-"

"Look, you want the book and I want you to be happy. And you can't buy the book because it's too much but I've got enough money. And besides, it's nearly Christmas-"

"It's November."

"My point still stands." Remus sighed. "Also cause I just wanna. I wanna make you happy."

Janus smiled down at the books in his arms, a small blush tinting his cheeks.

"Okay fine. If you really want to."

Remus looked up at the bookshop and sighed. Janus was meant to be here by now. He checked his phone. None of his texts had been answered. None of them had even been read. He thought about sending Janus a text asking him where he was but decided against it. Janus' dad could be in possession of Janus' phone.

"Come on Jan, where are you?" He asked under his breath, zipping up his coat. "I look like an idiot out here."

"I'll wait another ten minutes." Remus decided. "And if Jan doesn't show-" He didn't get to finish that thought because at that second, Janus turned a corner and pelted down the pavement.

"Hi. Rem." He said, breathing heavily and coming to a stop just short of bumping into Remus. "Sorry. I'm. Late. Couldn't. Get away. From my dad. One sec."

"You good Jan?" Remus asked. Janus nodded and put the heal of his hand on the bridge of his nose, trying to regulate his breathing.

"Okay. Think that I'm good now." He looked at Remus. "I'm really sorry that I'm late. Dad was trying to get me to do something and eventually I just climbed out the loft and ran off."

"Wow, my boyfriend's a rebel." Remus said, laughing and taking Janus' hand. Janus smiled but didn't laugh.

"Yeah. Guess I am."

"You okay Jan?"

Janus opened his eyes and looked over at Remus. "Yeah. Fine."

Remus shook his head. "You're not."

"Then why ask me that if you were just going to tell me I'm not."

Remus shrugged. "I'm worried about you."

"That still doesn't explain why your using a rhetorical question." Janus sighed and leaned back on the bench. "Besides, you know I'm not. You know what happens at home now and... yeah."

"Jan? Have you tried calling the police on your dad?"

"I've thought about it. Like, really thought about it. But he's a better liar than I am, Rem, and why wouldn't they believe a 'respectable' man with a job. Who else would they believe, his gay closeted teenage son?"

"But you're not closeted, are you? Not when you're away from home. That's got to mean something."

"Yeah, that he's homophobic. But homophobia isn't illegal, Rem. Apart from that, they've got nothing to hold against him." Janus brushed the bruise on his cheekbone that was slowly turning brown. "The only thing they've got is this. And by the time I've worked up the courage to call them, it'll be gone."

"I could call them."

"Like they'd believe you." Janus sighed. "Look, no offense Rem but to someone who doesn't know you, you come off a little-"

"Insane."

"No, not insane. Just..." Janus bit his lip. "Bit strong."

"You really are a bad liar, Jan." Remus muttered. "But I get what you mean. Doesn't mean I'm not going to call them."

"Please don't." Janus said quickly. "He'll hurt me and then demand who told the cops. Then he'll hurt you. And that is the last thing I want. Please, Rem, don't."

Remus didn't reply.

I GOT MY HAIR CUT YESTERDAY AND SCHOOL ENDED TODAY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Bye,
Blaize