Generation: Develop
Date: 18. August. 2020
Features: Janus, Patton; slight mentions: Roman, Logan, Remus, Virgil
Word Count: 2,370
AU: Human; witches/dragon witches
Requested: By a friend not on wattpad as a sequel to the previous post!

👓👑🌩👔🐍🐙

It was odd getting used to living with someone that wasn't Logan or Virgil. Patton was essentially the polar opposite of Janus' brothers/clan members. Where Logan and Virgil were calm and quiet (respectively), Patton was a storm of excitement that could easily sweep Janus up.

Maybe getting married before getting to know one another wasn't the brightest idea- Janus was well aware the short comings that could follow such a decision. The difference is, Janus didn't have much of a choice in regards to their safety. There was also the fact that the gods saw favor in their marriage and supported the suddenly thrust together couple.

So, they would try their best at this new relationship. Janus asked Patton on a first date the day following their sudden nuptials; a date that Patton was quick to accept. The two decided on something fairly relaxed and took to a nearby clearing in the surrounding woods with a small meal and blanket. The two enjoyed one another's company and the nature around them as they got to know each other; it was just one week of being in one another's lives, and already there was some form of bond there.

Several months into their marriage, Roman and Remus had managed to get a meeting with the ruling family for the Clan. Seeing as Janus was the leader of their small numbers, it fell on their shoulders to be the most assertive and steadfast. It took three days of non-stop meetings for the Clan and ruling family to reach and agreement- with contingencies- but Janus was willing to accept the stipulations laid forth, and easily took up the offered position as an advisor to the board in regards to all things "witch."

Logan and Virgil held similar positions, and after sharing a brief hug with them, Janus quickly split off from their best friends in search of Patton. In a matter of months, Patton had become a safe place for Janus. Not just a safe place, but Janus knew that Patton had built a neat inside their heart, not that they'd willingly change that for the world.

Arriving home that night, Janus quickly filled Patton in and grinned like crazy as Patton initiated a cuddle session. Patton continued to inform Janus of how proud he was of his husband. The word husband kind of rubbed Janus the wrong way, but they brushed it off for now. Patton was happy, they were happy, the future was looking bright at long last. Dragon witches were now a protected being, and Janus and the rest of the Clan had found more than safety in the light at the end of the tunnel.

Janus, Virgil, and Logan were hanging out and talking at Janus and Patton's house one year and nearly six months after they had all gotten married to people they had grown to love in such a small time span. A year and a half into their new lives, and things were going great. The ruling family listened to what the witches had to say and the literal witch hunting of all types was quickly drawn to a close- although that meant the positions the three of them held were more important than ever when drafting new laws and decrees.

"Hey, Jan? I know this isn't an ideal topic, but can I correct Roman about your pronouns?" Virgil piped up as he grabbed a cup and filled it with water, "I know you told Lo and me that you feel most comfortable with they/them, but I don't like hearing Roman misgender you."

Logan was quick to jump into the topic at hand, his cup of tea sitting aside to steep already, "I concur, it would be ideal if I could inform Remus as well. It makes me uncomfortable hearing someone I love misgender someone I view as a sibling."

Janus hesitated, as they were unsure how the twins would react to such information, and didn't want to be the reason for any upset, "I mean... sure? If you two think your husbands will be okay with the correction, you can. I honestly don't see your husbands frequently enough for their mistakes to upset me any..."

The careful wording made Virgil freeze momentarily before he placed his cup down on the table and moved his hands to his hips, "Jan, have you spoken to Patton about your pronouns yet?"

The sudden rigidity of their friend's spine spoke volumes as Logan let out a soft sigh, "Janus, you shouldn't keep this from him. He is your husband, you should communicate this to him so as to avoid upsetting either of you further."

Janus agreed quickly, and planned to tell Patton that night. After admitting such, the friends made plans before Virgil and Logan left to return home. It was a matter of an hour before Patton came through the front door of their house, looking ready to crash on the spot.

"Long day at work, Pat?" Janus inquired as they helped their husband into the house and to their bedroom.

They had a quick, mumbled, conversation as Patton changed for bed. Janus learning about an upcoming town event that Patton had been helping prepare for all day; and Janus relaying the good news he had received from the royal family.

"Pat, can I talk to you about something?" The tremble in Janus' voice was barely noticeable, and they weren't sure why this conversation made them so anxious- but it apparently did.

Patton mumbled a half-asleep response, causing Janus to frown slightly before letting out a soft sigh. It could wait another day, they decided; Patton needed rest now. Their pronouns could be addressed tomorrow.

One year, six months, and two weeks into their marriage and Janus had failed at every turn to broach the topic with Patton. The twins; however, had not failed to lament their apologies to Patton the moment they saw him. The admission from Roman and Remus of guilt for misgendering Patton's spouse, caused confusion for their poor relative that had yet to receive the news himself.

Upon reaching home, early for he had to speak to his husband (spouse?), Patton was quick to locate Janus- who was in the kitchen, cleaning some cutlery they had used for breakfast and lunch. Calling out his presence, he asked Janus if they could talk- to which the other agreed.

"Janus, have I been misgendering you?" The question was right to the point, but Janus' full-bodied flinch spoke volumes to over-worked Patton, "Have I ever used the right pronouns, Janus?" The second question was softer than the first, his heart aching for the person he had fallen in love with over a year ago.

Janus fiddled with his fingers a bit before glancing up at Patton, "I mean, I've always known that male pronouns just didn't feel... right? That's not to say you've never used the correct pronouns though!" Janus was quick to try and make their husband feel better. They were not entirely sure how Patton had learned of their pronouns, but that didn't mean they wanted Patton upset over the misunderstanding.

"Janus, I've been misgendering you for over a year and a half! That's not okay! I have failed you in such an important way! As your husband, your comfort and happiness is more important to me than anything!" Patton was emphatic in trying to relay his thoughts to his spouse, unable to keep the tears from welling up in his eyes.

Janus panicked slightly as they tried to formulate the best response to Patton's words, "None of that is on you, Pat! It was on me! I could have corrected you at any point, I just... wasn't ready to then."

The month following that conversation, Patton made a concerted effore to refer to Janus using only their prefered pronouns- but the guilt continued to eat him up inside. The days passed by slowly, and the weight on his chest only seemed to grow with everytime he addressed Janus correctly. It wasn't a difficult task to use the correct pronouns- but the fact that he had made his own spouse uncomfortable in such an important way for so long tore him apart.

Janus didn't notice the growing guilt- at first. The first week or so it wasn't something overtly evident. Then came the evening where they overheard Patton talking to Roman while they were talking with Virgil. Janus almost thought they were misconstruing the glance Patton sent their way when addressing the pronouns situation- almost, because Virgil brought it up later. Then it struck Janus that the look that both of them saw had to be guilt.

That was just one instance though, so Janus pushed it aside. Then they noticed that the guilty looks didn't fade with time as one would expect; but istead the looks multiplied, and the guilt only seemed to be growing. That being said- Janus didn't want to jump to conclusions and ruin their relationships based on assumptions. So, they did what any good practicing witch would do and tended to their alter, reaching out to the appropriate gods and goddesses for the wisdom to take the correct course of action.

Just over a month after the initial conversation regarding pronouns, Janus finally found the encouragement they had been hoping to receive. So they went out of their way to set up the table for dinner- knowing well that Patton was to arrive home early today and so the two of them would be able to have a dinner together (as they had already spoken to the rest of the members of the Clan and their husbands, so they would be dining entirely alone and uninterrupted). Dinner ready, Janus started plating it just as Patton walked in the door.

The greeting they shared was happy, and it was nice to see Patton smiling unhindered. Janus now knew how much they hated seeing the looks of anything other than happiness and love on Patton's face. They had seen enough sadness and guilt over the last four weeks to know it was something they wanted to avoid at all costs. Quickly, Janus lead the way to the table, gently touching on the topic of how Patton's day went, they sat down and enjoyed their meal.

The conversation flowed easily, and Janus was able to prevent Patton from giving them a guilty look even once and this made their heart soar. This was the Pattton they had been missing over the last couple of weeks. The Patton that let their words and smiles run free in their presence. The Patton that no matter who or what he was talking about, his eyes never once left Janus and neither did they falter.

As dinner drew to a close, Janus knew the time to talk was coming. They couldn't put it off, and there were several gods and goddesses lending their support to them. This was the timing, there was no better moment- and there never would be, if they were to wait any more. "Pat?"

"Yeah, Jan?"

"I know we've been together for just over a year and seven months in marriage, but I feel it is important that I let you know something..." They hesitated momentarily, taking a deep breath before speaking again, "I love you, Patton. You came into my life by stumbling into a clearing during such an important time, but you have captured my heart in a way I didn't know was possible. If I were to be told just two years ago that I would have a husband that would make me feel important and valued in the way that you do, I probably would not have believed them."

Patton was suprised by the sudden speech, and their jaw was hanging slightly to make this more than evident to Janus- this was not a talking point Patton had anticipated. It wasn't a gesture he anticipated from Janus, but that didn't make it any less appreciated, "I love you too, Jan."

"I'm glad, because with all of that said? You know that you have not once purposely hurt me, right?" Janus paused as Patton gave a slight nod, "Good, because the fact that you have been so upset about misgendering me since we talked about it, is the only truly upsetting thing to me right now, Pat. I love you, and you had no way of knowing that I identified as nonbinary until we talked about it- so you have no reason to beat yourself up. That was a misstep on my part, and I wish to rectify that. You never needed forgiveness for the misgendering, Patton; but if that's what you want, you have it. I love you, Patton; and the fact that you love me enough to be so unforgiving a transgression you had no clue was a bit triggering to me says volumes more than just those three words ever could. I love you, and forgive you; but, can you forgive me and yourself?"

Patton fumbled for words before tears started trailing down his cheeks. Within seconds, he had crossed the little distance between himself and his spouse, and threw his arms around them in the tightest hug he could manage, "You don't need forgiveness, Janny. I love you more each day we are together, but if forgiving myself will make you happy... I will work on that starting today, I promise! In return, if I ever make that type of mistake again; you have to promise to inform me immediately!"

No relationship will ever be perfect, but with a little more communication it can always grow and become better. This is just the start for Janus and Patton, but with such a terrible miscommunication so early on, the two quickly reached a point in their relationship where communicating was more important to them than anyhing else. Their love never faltered, only grew; and their respect for one another did as well. It was a matter of time, even as the pair learned to communicate in more subtle ways when their child- Dylan- entered their lives two years later.

Happiness and love is only what you make of it, after all.