Author's Note: AAAAA! How about that new episode?!!! Roman my baby!! But I LOVE THE NAME JANUS IT FITS SO WELL AAAAA!! This fic was supposed to come out the week after the episode, but like my entire life, it was late! LOL! Finally I'm done! I don't even remember how long I've been working on this one, but it's finished! Its always the ones I've been working on forever that I have a hard time liking or seeing any value in, but I'm sure someone out there will enjoy it all the same. Love you all, and I hope this fic was worth the wait. I hope to put out two at least this weekend to make up for the haitus. Here y'all go!

Reasons To Smile

Ship: Platonic or Romantic Moceit (Your Choice)

Words ~ 4291 ~

Warnings: Broken Roman, Broken Patton, crying, Janus, Some Angst, but tons of fluff

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     The days after accepting Janus were hard for everyone. There was tension within the commons. Where happiness normally flourished, there stood solemn faces and awkward glances. Roman was unhappy. Virgil was unhappy. And Logan? No one could really tell. It left Patton, alone in the commons, to deal with all the emotions he had. Never had the moral aspect felt so heartbroken in his life.

     Janus knew he had a duty to Thomas. Seeing as none of the other sides were going to comfort the sad, sobbing Patton on the couch, he took it upon himself to lift his spirits. Patton needed someone and if he was that someone, then he would do whatever it took to be that someone. Even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone.

     He initiated his first plan which was to sit next to Patton and give him his company. He was not expecting the moral aspect to completely dispense his body on him and sob even harder. But it caused Janus to display affection for another side, which he hadn't done in forever. He gave Patton a proper hug, knowing Morality needed every ounce of physical reassurance that Janus had to give. He cursed those in their rooms for not seeing how distressed their fun-loving father figure figment was. Then again, they were all dealing with their own problems. Alone. But, he had promised himself to help Patton as he was who had accepted him first. Part of him wanted to smite Virgil. He truly did not know how good he had it. How good Janus had it now. All it was going to take was some tender loving care, and Patton would hopefully begin to be feeling a little better.

     He started by giving out hugs to him as the days went by and doing small little favors to help with chores. He grew to love Patton's company and the witty jokes that came with it. Many times he would make a pun against one of Patton's and a train would continue, but Pat's smile would last about as long as the pun train; vanishing before Janus was able to cement it in his mind. And it hurt him that Patton could not seem to find an everlasting reason to smile anymore. Then and there he decided to change that.

     It was a sunny afternoon when Janus found Patton laying on a blanket in the grass outside. He seemed to be soaking up the sun and looking very content as the warm glow cast an aesthetic shadow along his face. Janus said nothing as he silently laid down next to him. He heard a sigh and the rustle of a blanket told him Patton was awake.

     "Hey Janus. How ya doin?"

     "Hm. Very well. Thank you for asking."

     "...was that sarcasm?"

     Janus sighed. "Partially. I feel the way you do currently. Tired of it all. Wishing Thomas would stop fighting with himself. But, like a lap around a racetrack, we seem to be stuck."

     "Yeah...but...I'd...rather be stuck with someone that felt the same way. Than stuck alone while trying to win the race by myself." Patton turned to look at Janus with the very faint beginnings of a smile and the snake-man almost begged to see it grow.

     He returned the facial expression. "As always, Patton. You make light of every situation. But, you forget to keep a bit of that light for yourself." He reached out with a finger and poked at Patton's chest, right where his heart would be. Patton followed his finger with his eyes. "I taught Thomas that it is important to take time for yourself. That same principle applies to you. Even if you are doing it 'physically'," He gestured to the relaxing scene around them. "you need to practice it mentally as well."

     Patton chuckled humorlessly and looked away. "Eheheh...you caught me. I'm beating myself up...again." Janus slipped a hand underneath Patton's chin, pretending not to notice the little gasp he admitted as he guided his face back towards him.

     "I know, Patton. But, I need you to believe it when I say this, everything that is going on right now is not your fault anymore. It may be a consequence, but they are not treating you fairly." Janus noticed the twinkle in the moral aspect's eyes fade. "But good grief, Patton. I despise seeing you like this. Help me, help you. Yes, you need to feel your feelings, but there comes a time when those feelings are too much. Let me help you. Let me distract you. Let me give you the reasons why you should start smiling again. And it will all be okay starting with us."

     Janus didn't remember when Patton had sat up, or when he took his hands and held them in his own, but there was now a small speck of hope in Patton's eyes that he dare not let stagger. "How?" It was a broken question that Patton uttered, but Janus gave the only answer he knew he could.

     "One day at a time. One smile at a time." Janus looked at the grass around, formulating a small plan in his mind. "And...what do you say we start day one by having a picnic?" Patton's eyes widened in absolute delight.

     "You...you would do that...with me?"

     "If you'd let me."

     "But," Patton's face fell suddenly. "I don't want to make you. I'm sure your time might be better spent elsewhere."

    Janus scrunched up his face in absolute irritation. No. As long as he was here, Patton would no longer frown. With one simple move, he pinned Patton down on the blanket and held both of Pat's wrists in his hands. The frog squeaked and Deceit couldn't help but grin. "I offered you my company Patton. And as a friend you can either accept my company willingly, or it will be thrust upon you, because you obviously need it." Before Patton could answer, a third hand slipped out of Janus's capelet and poked at his side a bit.

     A few giggles fell out of Patton's lips prompting Janus to continue his phalangeal assault. His laughter was addicting and sorely needed. "I- hey! Ah! Hey! Janus! Ehehe! Cut it ouhohout!"

     "I'm not sure I want to. I'm tired of seeing you so depressed. Let a little bit of laughter lighten your mood Patton. And let me help you." Janus added another hand into the fray on the other side of Patton. The trapped aspect wiggled about as the gloved hands tapped against his sides.

     "Jahahahanus!!" The snake boi slipped his hands underneath Patton's shirt and began to squeeze the bit of pudge there. His laughter rose in volume and he pushed at Deceit's hands languidly.

     "Tell me you would like to accept my offer and hang out. Then I will stop." Janus skittered over his ribs with all four hands, releasing his wrists in the process. He watched with fond eyes as Patton curled up in defense around his hands.

     "EEK! Ah! Aha! Okay! Okay! Uncle! Uncle!" Janus retracted his tickly fingers from Patton's abdomen and chuckled when the moral aspect sprawled back out in exhaustion. "Ah...hah...please hang out with me?" He winced at Janus, as if waiting for him to decline, but he was instead helped back up to a sitting position. Before he heard Janus's response, to his left appeared a picnic basket with some napkins.

     Janus pretended not to notice Patton's eyes widen adorably at the display. "It would be an honor." Janus continued in his normal silky smooth voice. He could not deny just how much happier Patton seemed after he was tickled to bits. If that was the way to distract him from current events, then Janus would make it a priority to do so.

     The next time Janus attempted a tickle attack was three days later. He had heard from an off-hand comment Logan remarked that Patton tended to stress-bake. When Deceit walked into the kitchen and was met with a table full of cookies, he knew something was wrong.

     Janus did not have to step into the kitchen for Patton to know he was there. "Hey Janus..." Deceit stepped into the kitchen regardless.

     "Hello, Patton. Having fun?"

     "Not Really. I'm...I'm out of flour and...I can't bother him to conjure some more for me." Janus sighed and sauntered over to where Patton was standing, solemnly staring into the oven that was still preheated to 350 degrees with nothing inside. Janus scrutinized Patton's face before he reached for the dial above the four burners and turned the kitchen appliance off.

     He was met afterward with an armful of Patton, burying his head within his capelet. "I know you're upset."

     "Eheheh...a little bit of an understatement there." Janus frowned, looking around the room for something that he could distract Patton with. He rested his eyes on the cookie jar with its lid off, still filled to the brim with cookies. It then occurred to him what Patton had been doing.

      "Have you eaten any of the cookies you have baked?" Patton reluctantly shook his head no. "Why?"

      "I...I don't deserve them. Not after what happened." Janus grasped Patton's shoulders and looked into his eyes.

      "Patton. You absolutely do deserve them. I know how much you enjoy them, but tantalizing and withholding pleasurable things from yourself does not help your depression. You've made so many." Janus took about three cookies from a nearby sheet and handed them to him. "It is time to eat the fruits of your labor."

     Patton smiled gently. "Funny you should say that. This one has Crofters in it." Patton chuckled and held up one of the cookies Janus gave him.

     Deceit rolled his eyes. "Wonderful. Now eat them. I will stand here and watch."

     Patton stared at them for a whole three minutes before sighing in defeat and setting them back on the table. "I dunno...I just...don't feel like eating them."

     Janus rubbed the bridge of his scaley nose. "Well, are you hungry?"

     "No...my tummy hurts." It was a perfect opportunity Janus decided, so he took it and placed a hand on Patton's adorable pudgy belly. He squeezed once and the moral aspect shot in the air. "H-hey! What are you doing?"

     "Small circles rubbed into the tummy helps soothe any ache someone might be feeling. Would you say your depression is causing your belly to hurt?" He noticed the way Patton's eyes half-lidded in content and the weight into his side as Janus sunk into him. A string of unintelligible words fluttered out of Patton's lips and Janus chuckled. He stroked up and down, then skittered back to his ribs, watching as Patton barely protested the soothing ticklish touches Janus was offering him.

     He rubbed his thumb softly along the seem of Patton's shirt until he felt a low rumble vibrating into the tips of his fingertips. He laughed softly as Patton's eyes flew open and he backed away from the snake's grasp. He clutched his belly as it continued to gurgle, blushing and hiding his face from Janus' fond smirk. "I uh- I think I'll take the cookies now."

     Janus nodded in satisfaction and gave his belly another poke or so as he watched Patton scarf up the cookies like a hungry animal. He sat at the table and watched as Patton continued to eat more than a few cookies, only stopping him when he believed the possible cause of the bellyache would no longer be depression.

     Janus noticed Patton was much happier after those two incidents. His smiles lingered for a few seconds more and he saw the sadness in his eyes begin to dissolve. In what other ways could Janus help Patton using tickles and other fun activities? The third opportunity came to him by complete accident.

     Patton was walking through the hallway, humming a tune (something he hadn't done in a long time) when Janus thought it would be a good idea to join him. He stopped him in his tracks and started humming to the tune of "Don't Worry, Be Happy". Patton hummed along with a gentle smile. He also swayed from side to side and did a jig to which Janus simply smiled at. He watched his movements then placed his first poke to his hips when Patton had left the spot wide open.

     A squeal broke the gentle melody, but Patton continued in the gait only now watching Janus with a rosy-complexion. Deceit quirked an eyebrow at Patton as gentle giggles now intertwined with the notes of the song. He had now stopped humming in favor of stepping towards the moral aspect each time he took a step backward.

     "Is something wrong Patton?" Deceit asked with a large toothy grin. "Why did you stop humming?" Patton felt the wall behind him and began shimmying to the left, his eyes still locked with Janus's. "And why are you attempting to escape? I am just being a good friend and humming to a song with you."

      Patton's giggles grew in volume the closer Deceit slinked towards him. In one swift move, the snake blocked Patton's escape route by summoning his staff and catching his midriff by its crook. Patton squealed, obviously not expecting that. He yanked the moral aspect into his grasp and snuck his other two pairs of hands to deliberately tickle into his armpits and sides. Although he kicked out a bit, Patton never asked Janus to stop, so he continued until the weight of Patton toppled them both to the ground in a heap of giggles.

     Janus snuck his hands back under Patton's shirt as they playfully wrestled on the floor and squeezed his tummy. Only then did Patton jostle his wrists and the tickling fingers ceased their movements. They laid like that until Janus was sure Patton was as truly happy as a dad could be.

      A week later from Janus's promise to himself, Patton showed signs of improvement by asking for his company. Deceit made it a point never to refuse Patton until he knew that Patton had regained his sense of self-worth. So, when Patton asked for Janus to join him for a movie night, he showed face in a snake onesie, with some popcorn, and a few movies if Patton was interested.

     The marathon began and Patton was almost back to his old sense of humor. There were a few witty jokes that were shared between the two friends and tensions were low, but then...a certain prince showed face for five seconds before walking back to his room and closing the door. All of what Janus had been attempting to build back up in Patton, had been knocked down to square one. And all Deceit could do as the movie played, was hold him and let him cry.

      He couldn't accuse Roman. At least not for this. The prince had his own problems to deal with, and Janus hoped that one day Patton and Roman could laugh together once again. But, that time was nowhere near. It was like he told Patton at the beginning. "One day at a time. One smile at a time."

     The moral aspect retreated to his room for a second, before returning with the cutest kitty socks Janus had ever seen. He sat in front of him and held out his feet, looking away with tears in his eyes. "Please. I can't- I don't wanna focus on it. Distract me...please?" Janus frowned knowing that Patton was only distressed. He disregarded his feet for now and instead wrapped the moral aspect in a large hug. Patton needed reassurance much more than he needed tickles currently. So he held onto him until he got that gentle smile. That smile that let Janus know that Patton would be okay.

     "Alright. Now I can distract you." Patton quickly tucked his feet behind his knees as if trying to escape.

     "W-well I think I'm distracted enough for now. I'm nahat sure that's necessary." Janus quickly grabbed an ankle, a wicked smile spreading across his face.

     "I would beg to differ! You did put these on just for me to tickle and you asked so nicely. Why don't we give you something to laugh about?" Patton stumbled over his words as Janus's fingers wiggled along with the little paw prints that outlined each toe and the sole of his foot. Within seconds, the moral aspect was in stitches as he fell back on the floor, half-heartedly kicking Janus's hands away from his feet. Perhaps Deceit tickled a bit too long that time, because of Patton's string of "Nonononononos" and "stahahaps", but he did not seem too irritated afterward.

     Thus Janus's plan was working well. He didn't think it was so much the ticklings doing as it was Janus putting in dedicated time to his and Patton's friendship, so he just came to the conclusion that it was a combination of both. Of course, Patton was still nowhere near where he should be emotionally, but Janus was not concerned about the destination. The journey that Patton was taking to heal was much more important than the end goal.

     But, there were times that Patton could be a little much even for Janus's standards. He knew the difference between needing attention and wanting attention. What Patton did while Janus was trying to watch TV just five days later was definitely the latter. He was on his lap, draped a lot like Roman, almost begging for cuddles when Janus had already told Patton he wasn't in the mood.

     "Pleeaaaaaasseee?" Janus kept himself quiet, refusing to look the parental figure in the eyes. "Jaaaaaaaannnuuusssss..." He unfortunately caved.

     "What Patton?"

     "Cuddles!" Patton's grabby hands shot up into the air, obscuring Janus's line of sight in front of the television. He had enough.

     "Alright. That's it. You want cuddles?" All six of Deceit's hands materialized and wiggled at Patton. He grew amused at Patton's immediate change of heart and pupil shape.

     "A-actually...on second thought..." He started to climb off of Deceit's lap when the snake quickly dragged him back. He booped his nose once earning a squeak before he dove in with all six hands, earning himself the most melodious laughter from Patton he had ever heard. He had to turn up the volume on the TV just to hear it.

     "I'm sorry Patton. Could you keep it down? You are being very interruptive." Patton flailed about, hitting against the couch cushions especially when Janus rubbed a gloved thumb across his navel. The hands sped up their assault and Patton quickly rolled off his lap to escape. Deceit let him, chuckling as Patton wiggled along the ground until he staggered to his feet. Patton looked back to Janus once before running away while cackling.

     Documentary having been forgotten about, Janus hopped off the couch and sprinted after him. If it was a tickle chase Patton wanted, then it was a tickle chase he would get. He caught his ankle after a few seconds once Morality disappeared behind a corner and dragged him back giggling. As he scratched a finger into the captured sole, he couldn't be more proud of Patton and the journey they had taken together. But, the analysis of the journey was not one-sided.

     Patton had noticed a change in Janus too when he had offered his help. His smiles became more genuine and his actions contained more direct purposes. He wasn't hiding his ulterior motives for making Patton feel better, because they were not ulterior motives. The only ulterior motive Patton could think Janus might use for his personal gain is Thomas's well-being, but that was something Patton strove for as well. Well, the only way Patton could know for sure that Janus was doing this out of the goodness of his heart, was to ask him directly.

     Two weeks after Janus started hanging out with Patton, that's just what he did. He found deceit resting long ways on the couch with his hat covering his face. Patton sneaked around the back of the couch until he was just behind Janus's head. Cautiously, he lifted up the hat only to find him staring directly up into his face. "My, Patton. Your stealth skills are stellar! I couldn't even tell it was you sneaking up on me."

     Patton put on a pout and dropped the hat on Janus's face in response to his sarcasm. "Well that's no way to treat someone who was just checking up on their new friend!" Deceit's chuckles were muffled by the head accessory, until he removed it. By that time, Patton had already moved around to the front of the couch and planted his behind on Janus's thighs, effectively pinning him there.

    Janus's amused smile did not waver as he eyed his current situation. "Can I help you?"

     "That's just the thing, Janus! You've helped me a lot! It's only because of you that I've been feeling better. I just..." Patton took a moment to find the right words. "...wanted to know why you're doing this for me. What do you think you'll gain out of helping me feel better?"

     Janus exhaled and paused before answering. "I would be all mushy and say 'a friend', but that's not exactly my style-" Before he could continue the moral aspect squeed at him.

     "Awwwww! You do care!!!!" A tiny hint of a blush danced across Janus's cheeks.

     "Yes. And what of it?"

     "I knew it! Even if you were being mean you really just wanted a buddy!" Patton grinned as if he had just won the lottery.

     Janus pursed his lips. "Don't say it like that!'

     "What? It's true! You saw I was hurting and you swooped in to save the day, hoping I'd return the favor!"

     "Favor? No no. I am hardly in need of saving."

     "Really now? You were lonely too, weren't you?"

     Janus lowered his head. The silence following Patton's accusation grew heavy around the two as smiles fell.

     "...weren't you?" Patton repeated the question and Janus sighed.

     "Yes, but do not...say that to anyone." They revived their eye contact and Patton gave a gentle smile at Janus's honesty.

     "Cross my heart."

     "Well. You found out the truth." Janus sadly did not return the smile. "Can you get off of me now?"

    Patton mirrored his frown. "Maybe if you tell me why you have a long face?"

    "I don't. See? I'm smiling right now." He most definitely was not smiling. Patton crossed his arms before pouting at the snake man. Janus could tell he was being studied. "What are you looking for?"

     "Don't smile," Patton told him in a firm voice. "Don't smile." He repeated, the chastise in his tone growing with every syllable. Janus quickly caught onto what he was doing.

     "Oh, Patton. I think you'll find that reverse psychology doesn't work on me." It didn't detour Patton in the slightest.

     "Don't smiiiiileeee!!" Patton set his fingers in the crooks of Deceit's mouth and pushed them up. "Don't smile!"

     "Eek!" Janus grasped Patton's wrists away from his face, but he felt the corners of his mouth rise against his will. Curse Patton for being much too good at this. He was sure even Logan couldn't withstand something so enticing.

     "Don't smiiiillle!!" Patton's hands slipped out of Janus's grasp and began tapping along his ribs.

     "No fair!!!" Janus broke out into a wide smile as he pushed at the hands that threatening to make him giggle.

     "Oh because you would know everything about fairness, right Janus?" Deceit snorted at the comeback and arched his back when Patton's hands unbuttoned his jacket and dove underneath. The giggles spilled out as his scaley belly was explored by two sets of hands. He tossed and turned, but was limited by the amount of wiggle room he had because of the weight on his thighs. His giggles quickly turned into hisses as his forked tongue fluttered out when he was clearly unable to control the laughter.

     Patton looked on fondly. He remembered Janus's extra pairs of arms and expected them to materialize at any moment, yet they didn't. He wiggled into Janus's hips, his sides, armpits, and even belly button, but not once did he utter a stop or pretended to hate it. Maybe Janus realized he deserved this after all the times he tickled Patton, or he genuinely enjoyed, but for now, Janus could keep that info to himself. Patton was just having fun knowing he could finally make someone else smile too without it being a cost against his own emotions.

     Eventually, Janus did materialize his other hands, but only to stop Patton's fingers from continuing their motions. Once he caught his breath, he glared at Patton. "One day, you will regret that."

      "I'm sure I will, but you liked it too. Don't deny it." Janus rolled his eyes but silently agreed. "And hey. You have a friend now. No reason to try to continue and earn my friendship." He held his hand looking with fondness into his eyes. "You already have it. And if that's not a reason to smile about then I don't know what is."

     Janus attempted to open his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. With small tears shining in the corners of his eyes, he swallowed the lump in his throat and wordlessly thanked Patton with a nod of his head.

     Patton squeezed his hand lovingly. "Like you said at the beginning. One day at a time. One smile at a time." And there had never been another time before this in Thomas's life where both sides felt this much love that was given freely by another side.

~~~~~

Author's Note: There it is! It took a bit of time to write but I still hope it was good! Because school is over and I graduated from college, I'm gonna try to go back to my one fic per weekend routine. Let's see how it holds out! Again thank you all for your continued support for these silly little fics! Maybe one day I'll ask for requests again, but I don't know when that will be. Look out for it though! I'm excited to share again! Alright! Ceffy out! <3

P.S. My youtube Channel is Cef Hivanoff and I reacted to the newest episode! If you wanna face reveal, there ya go! I plan on doing more videos too! So subscribe if you want. Thank you everyone!