WARNING: Mention of homophobia

Janus felt someone shaking his arm.

"Yes, one of the Winston twins?"

"You can't tell me from my brother? I am offended!" It was Remus. Janus shook his head, a small smile quirking the corner of his mouth.

"You both try and get my attention in the same way, Rem. Now," Janus marked the page in his book and looked up, "what d'you want?"

Remus scratched the back of his head. "Are you free tonight?" He asked sheepishly. "I kinda need help with the homework and no one better to help me than my boyfriend, huh?"

Janus was about to answer when the image of his dad floated into his mind. Peter Dagger would be livid if he found out his son was bringing boys home, even if it was just to study.

"Sorry Rem but my dad's home." Janus said instead. Remus' brow furrowed in confusion.

"Is that a problem?"

"Yeah, um, my dad doesn't really know about... this." He said, motioning his hand between himself and Remus. "And he doesn't exactly like... what we are, the fact that we like who we like."

"You mean he's homophobic?"

"N- uh, we- no but..." There wasn't really any point in denying it.

"Jan?" Remus put his hand down on top of Janus'. "Are you... safe at home."

Janus wanted to say no, to get Remus to help him. But he didn't want to lie to Remus. He was safe at home... for the time being. Janus snatched his hand away from Remus', probably more harshly than he'd meant to.

"I'm fine Rem." He said, again, harsher than he'd meant to. Remus' face displayed the hurt he felt. "I'm sorry." Janus said quickly. He didn't like it when Remus was upset. "It's just... it's a touchy subject, Rem."

Remus nodded and tried to smile. "It's okay, Jan. I understand. But if you need anyone to talk to, I'm always gonna be here for you." This time he was able to smile and Janus returned the smile with a sad one of his own.

"Hey, how about this? If you really want help with your homework, we could call. If dad comes in, it'll be a lot easier to say that you're my friend. Because you won't be able to interrupt this time." Remus giggled slightly and grinned at Janus.

"Thanks Jan."

"No problem. Except if it's Maths. Then we're both screwed."

"Hey dad! I'm home!" Janus yelled up the stairs as he came in. There was no reply. He checked his watch. He wasn't late or anything. "Dad?" Again, no reply. Janus shrugged, a little creeped out, and deposited his bag in the hall. "Dad? I'm gonna do some homework with a friend, okay?" Nothing. Janus shrugged again and grabbed a pencil, pad of paper and his phone and padded up to his bedroom. As far as he could tell, he was alone in the house.

Boyf riend <3 is calling you.

"Shit!" Remus yelled, making Roman jump and fall out of the bottom bunk.

"Jesus Christ, Re. What the He-"

"Out! Out, out, out, out, out!" Remus said, hauling Roman up and shooing him out the door. "I need a clear working space free of rubbish."

"Free of rubbish? Hey-"

"Out!" Remus yelled, managing to close the door on his brother. "While you're out there, you could start trying with the bet!" Remus yelled through the door. He giggled quietly and picked up the phone.

"Hi, Rem."

"Hey, Jan. Sorry it took a while for me to pick up. Had to get my brother out of the room." There was a pause on the other side of the line. "You're rolling your eyes, aren't you?"

"How did you know? Now, I believe there was a point to this phone call? Specifically school?"

"Fine."

"Wait, shoot, someone's coming." Remus heard a crackle from Janus' end of the line as he put the phone down. There was a knock on the door.

"Janus? Who're you talking to?"

"Just a friend, dad. I'm helping them with homework."

Remus already hated Janus' dad for how different Janus sounded when talking to him.

"Fine. But finish it up quickly." There was another crackle as Janus picked up the phone.

"I need to go now, Rem. I'm really sorry." Janus' voice was low and scared.

"But-" The call ended.

I am the Angst Crier! I tell you that the angst is coming but you don't believe me! AND THEN THE ANGST COMES! I woke up at 5:30, cut me some slack for my delusion.
Bye,
Queenie