It's not as angsty as it sounds. And yes, this is kinda my sorry for today's chapter
WARNING: Daggers, swords

Remus looked around the shady room sceptically. He gripped the hilt of his dagger tighter and called out.

"Hello?" He asked. "Anyone there?" It was reckless, sure, but he needed answers for why he was here.

"Wondered when you were going to show." A voice from behind him said. Remus jumped and whipped around, dagger in front of him, ready to strike. The owner of the voice laughed. It was a dangerous sound, far more dangerous than Remus himself. The sound of a sword being unsheathed filled the silent room.

"There'll be no need for that." The other person said, pointing their sword at Remus. All the humour was gone from their voice, leaving it cold and baren. "I'm merely asking for your services."

Remus narrowed his eyes. Slowly, he lowered his dagger. "Why can't you just kill whoever yourself?"

The person laughed their dangerous laugh again, only this time there was no humour in it. "I'm far too conspicuous. Your king would notice me in an instant."

Remus laughed lowly. "So you want me to kill King Janus?"

They clicked their tongue. "He's got it." They sheathed their sword. "You're a lot brighter than I gave you credit for."

"I also have more morals than you gave me credit for." Remus raised his hands. "I don't do in-kingdom jobs. Now, if you want anyone else assassinated, I'm your man but I don't do my own nobility." He shrugged. "Against the code, you see."

"Assassins have no code." The voice snapped.

"Afraid we do." Remus said. "So, unless you have another job for me, I'll see myself out." Remus turned to go but stopped at the sound of a money bag being thrown on the floor.

"350 ducats. All there. All yours. For one little murder." Remus could practically hear the smirk in the other person's voice. "Like I said, assassins have no code. As long as the price is right."

Remus sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, he wasn't exactly the first choice if you wanted someone done away with. He needed the money.

"350 ducats?" He asked, not turning around.

"All yours." The voice repeated.

"Just for doing away with King Janus?"

"Just one little murder. One little crack in your stupid code."

Remus sighed again before turning around and swiping the money pouch off the floor. "Can I get a name? So I know who to report back to when the job's done?"

The cold laugh came again. "I'm not letting you turn me in that easily." The sword was drawn again. "When the job's done, go to The King's Three Crowns and say the job for Summers is done. My servants can take it from there."

Remus crossed his arms, uncomfortable in this new, odd world of rich people and their rich people talk. Because of that, he'd consigned himself to a corner of the King's ridiculously huge ballroom, always keeping one eye on the door and one on the clock.

"C'mon, you idiot." He muttered to himself. "It's nearly midnight. Where's the damn King?"

As soon as those words had left his mouth, the doors behind a balcony opened and someone dressed in all black and gold entered. From the crown on their head, Remus guessed this was King Janus. Oddly enough, no one below the nobility had seen the king. Now Remus could guess why.

All the way from the king's cheekbone to his forehead were vines thin, intricate scars. Janus cast his bright eyes around the room and, it could've just been Remus' imagination, they seemed to linger on the assassin in the corner for a second longer.

"Everyone." King Janus called out. He fiddled with one of his black gloves. "I apologise for being so late. I see you haven't let that stop you from beginning the party." His eyes flicked to Remus again and Remus could've sworn he winked. "Don't let me deter you." With that, he disappeared back out of the door.

Remus blinked a few times before shaking himself back to reality. King Janus had noticed him and winked at him and he was hot. He was insanely, incredibly good looking, despite the scars.

"Pull yourself together, Remus." Remus muttered. "You've got a job to do. Might as well do it."

In efforts to find the king, Remus had ended up wandering around the palace gardens. Still, no sign of the elusive royal.

"This is stupid." Remus muttered. "I'll just go to Summers and tell him that-" Someone grabbed him and pinned him against a wall.

"I must say, for a traitor, you're not very good at blending in." It was King Janus. And, damn, he really was hot. "I thought you people would've gotten better at this by now."

"To be fair, your Highness, this was my first time breaking my code." Remus said, trying to reach down for his dagger. Janus grabbed his hand.

"Ah, ah, ah, we'll have none of that." Janus smirked at him. He knew when he had someone beaten. "Now, why don't you tell me who you're working for and I won't have to chop that very pretty head of yours off."

"Wish I knew, your Highness." Remus said. "Anyway, let's move away from that topic and move on to the fact that you think I'm pretty." Remus managed a smirk as Janus seemed to falter.

"And that's a bad thing how?" Janus asked. "I'm not allowed to find my attempted assassins conventionally attractive?" He laughed quietly. "How d'you think I've lived this long?"

"Oh. Oh! You're one of those kings!" Remus laughed, throwing his head back so it hit the wall behind him. "You're the kind of king who's so hot that he can't possibly be killed."

"Well, you could put it like that, I suppose."

"Your tricks aren't going to work on me." Remus said simply. Janus' gaze flicked down to his lips.

"Oh aren't they?" He asked before leaning forwards and kissing Remus. Remus jumped before he processed what was happened and kissed Janus back. His free hand went to the royal's waist, pulling him closer. He knew he probably shouldn't be kissing the person he was meant to kill with such passion but Remus honestly couldn't care less. Janus weaved his hand into Remus' hair and gave it a little tug, making him gasp. Janus chuckled and pulled back.

Janus grinned at Remus, who was a blushing mess quickly trying to collect himself. Remus narrowed his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, very clever." He muttered. "Take advantage of the poor, gay assassin, why don't you?"

"Whatever made you think that was just me taking advantage of you?" Janus asked. "I don't just go around kissing anyone like that."

"Well, duh." Remus rolled his eyes. "If you did, you'd be married by now."

Janus grinned in the gloom. "I like you. How about we call a truce?"

Remus narrowed his eyes. "I'm not gonna trust you."

"Then I won't trust you either." Janus leaned forward, close enough so that Remus could feel his breath on his lips. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to waste a golden opportunity." He leaned forwards and kissed Remus. Before Remus could kiss back for long, he pulled back.

"If you change your mind," Janus said, carefully unpinning Remus' hand, "come back here at midnight. Any night."

Remus felt for his dagger hilt. He could just do it now and get it over with. "You know you're giving me ample chance to kill you." He said.

Janus nodded. "I know." He winked at Remus. "I'll be waiting, mystery traitor."

I like this one shot. It didn't make me cringe like the other ones. I could make a whole story out of this.
Bye,
Blaize