Walking out of the hospital, August let the sun fall on his face for the first time in weeks. He had been in the hospital alone after being shot. No one came to visit him, not even his worthless brothers. Logan had always said that family was everything, yet August had been forced to go through it all alone. If that was what they wanted, that's what they would get. He gingerly touched the healing wound on his side before he turned and ran. He ran as fast as his feet would carry him. He had some money, and he still had some skills. He would learn to survive on his own.

That was easier said than done. Getting a legitimate job was harder than he expected but he managed. He had a crappy apartment near a park and a stable enough job. It was freeing not to be told every day what he had to do. Instead of starting his day running drills to keep himself safe, he ran, just to enjoy the smell of the air and the smog in the morning. The adrenaline pumped through his veins, giving him clarity over the world. He could hear his own heart beating in his ears. It was comforting just knowing he was alive. That was normally enough for him, but things changed.

Sitting on a bench with a golden retriever, just off the path August normally took, was the most handsome man he had ever seen. He held himself with a power that August wasn't unaccustomed to, but there was also a slyness in his eyes. What secrets did this man hold in the palm of his hands? He could care less about the dog, but animals were always an opener. He jogged closer to his mystery man. "Hey, can I pet your dog?"

The man looked at August confused but nodded, letting him step over and pet the dog. "So, what brings you here? I don't think I've seen you around the park before."

"Oh, well, I was just taking Sugar for a walk." The man spoke with a slight drawl and August could see mild scarring hidden behind his hat. He wanted to touch the scars, to run his fingers over the jagged lines that made this man so unique, but that wasn't socially appropriate, "I'm new in town."

August nodded, trying to avoid staring at the man.

"Was there something on my face?" And he could hear the sly smile. He apparently was used to people staring and August couldn't help but smirk as well. His heart danced in his chest like flower petals caught in an autumn gust.

"No, I just couldn't believe how fucking handsome you were." His eyes met the other man's, two different colors looking up at him surprised, highlighted by a dusting of red on his cheeks.

"This isn't my dog."

"What?"

He laughed, a little awkwardly as he dusted off his caplet and stood up. "This isn't my dog, I'm walking it for my friend Patton, I just wanted you to know the truth so that when I asked you out to coffee you wouldn't be surprised when there wasn't a dog with me. I'm actually taking care of her while my friend is away." The blush crept further and August was mesmerized by how this man was able to smirk and blush at the same time. "So, coffee, will you?"

He couldn't help but smile, looking this man up and down as he stood. "Yes."

"You can call me Jay, what's your name?"

For a moment, just a brief moment August faltered. Honesty was important in a relationship, but he knew he had a chance. In this instance he could be free of his past, he could be someone he had always wanted to be. He could be someone new. He wouldn't have to think about his past mistakes; he wouldn't have to be held back by everything that everyone had told him was wrong with him. August wouldn't have to be connected to his family any longer. To this man, this wonderfully handsome and perfect man, he could be...

"Remus." He held out his hand, happily shaking Jay's.

Their date was set for later in the week. After seeing Jay's apparel, Remus felt a bit more comfortable dressing how he normally would. He wanted to be himself, but a better version. For the first time in a long time, he had a bit of hope that he could be what he wanted to be. Remus threw on a dark green shirt that had puffy sleeves and a black vest before pulling on his slacks and shoes. This was still a bit tame but he would test it out, see how it worked. He was really interested in this guy.

The walk to the coffee shop felt too long. He had too much time to doubt how this would go, but when he caught sight of Jay in the window, his heart flipped. He knew this was right. Jay was sitting there holding a coffee, another sitting across from him on the table. Though few people could call it coffee, as it was a sickly green color. Even after his weird order, Jay was still there, waiting for him, and Remus couldn't help the smile crawl upon his face. He skipped over to Jay. "Is this spot taken?"

"Yes actually, I was supposed to be meeting a handsome man here, but I guess you will do." Jay teased with an obvious smile, motioning for Remus to sit down.

"Is the outfit too much?"

"No, you look absolutely regal, I like it." His own cheeks flushed as he quickly picked up his drink, a green tea frappuccino with two shots of espresso, java chips, and a pump of raspberry. He sipped the sick-looking concoction as he and Jay began talking.

Coffee turned to dinner, and dinner into dessert at the third corner ice cream store, before Remus knew it he was making his way up to Jay's apartment. Jay had stopped him, putting a hand on his chest. "Janus, that's my full name." Then he turned into the house and Remus' breath caught.

He was in too deep. This man was everything he had ever wanted and it was too late to go back now. That was okay. He had always wanted to be a Remus.

"Are you coming in?"

The doey smile hadn't left his face since the ice cream parlor. "I'm coming, Janus."

One date became two, then three, then four, and in no time at all they had been dating for a year and a half. They spent almost all of their free time together. Even now, they were walking together through the park past a very specific bench.

"Hey, Remus, do you remember this bench?"

"Of course." Remus was clinging to Janus's arm, not wanting to spend a second of his free time apart from him. "It's where we first met and I fell in love with that face of yours."

"A terrible decision really," He chuckled, shoving his hand into his coat and pulling out a box. "I know it's not fancy, and I know it's not everything you wanted it to be, but would you marry me?"

The box looked like a proper anatomical representation of a heart and Remus couldn't help but swoon at how well Janus knew him. "Of course." He didn't take the ring, instead, pulling Janus into a sloppy kiss. "Of course, I will be yours," and it was everything he had ever wanted. Freedom, and Love for exactly who he was.

Life with Janus was better, and Remus held onto and cherished every moment. He would happily spend the rest of his life with Janus, holding him close, staying by his side, spending their nights staying up talking about nothing at all. "I love you, and things are better when I'm with you."

"Don't get sentimental on me." The smirk was once again on his face, but it didn't hide the light red blush that dusted his cheeks.

Janus and Remus were cooking dinner when there was a knock at the door. "Could you get it my sex snake?"

Janus rolled his eyes, but his smile never faded. He loved Remus, all of the stupid nicknames, all of the disgusting facts, every piece that made up his chaotic husband. Remus should have known it wouldn't last. He could hear the voices from where he was in the kitchen.

"Can I help you, gentlemen?"

"Do you know August Sanders?" His face paled and he had to put a hand on his heart, steadying himself. He could stay in the kitchen and wait it out, but his brother was smart. Logan was stubborn. He always got what he wanted.

"No, I'm sorry, I believe you have the wrong house."

Remus closed his eyes, knowing he was about to say goodbye to everything.

"J-Anus, who's at the door?" He walked into the living room, his hand already wrapped tightly around the knife. There was a whisper in his heart that he might fight his way out. He still knew how to hide a body if he needed to, but he couldn't take both of them. He thought maybe it had been only Logan, and if it was only Logan he stood a chance, but standing next to his eldest brother was another man in a bright red jacket. They had both come for him.

"It's no one, they have the wrong house."

"August, come home, it is obvious that you still aren't well. We can get you help." Roman said, eyeing the meat cleaver in Remus' hand, looking at the blood splattered on his arm. Remus knew what it looked like, but that wasn't it.

"No!" Remus shouted, causing Janus to look back at him. "I mean... I don't know what you mean." His voice wavered, looking at Janus, hoping his husband would at least believe him. It was all crumbling apart.

"Remus..."

"Come on Jay Jay, I need you to help me in the kitchen. The steaks are almost ready to go in the oven." His voice shook as his knuckles turned white against the blade in his hand.

"We aren't leaving without you," Logan spoke, shoving his way into the house. "You are coming with us, August." He went to grab Remus's hand only for him to shoot back, making a slashing motion with the meat cleaver.

"Remus, what's happening?"

"I can't tell you."

"Don't lie to me," Janus growled.

"You leave me no choice," Logan's hand dipped into his suit jacket, pulling out a gun and pointing it at Janus. "One way or another you are coming with us."

"No, don't hurt him." The knife clattered to the ground. "I swear Logan if you hurt him I will claw out your eyes." His voice cracked a bit as he stepped in front of Janus.

Logan rolled his eyes, "You are dramatic, as always, Remus, that is what you are calling yourself, right? Come home, and this man doesn't have to be hurt."

Remus looked between Logan and Janus. There was fear and distrust in Janus' eyes. Roman was just outside the door, his hand resting on his hip where Remus knew he kept his own gun.

"Okay, okay, don't hurt him." Remus began walking towards Logan. "Lower the gun nerdy wolverine." He was trying to defuse the situation, anything to protect Janus. Anything.

"Follow with Roman and I will lower the gun."

"No, I'm not going to behave until you lower the gun."

Logan sighed and looked at Remus with a look of exhaustion and anger. His hand lowered, but his finger was still on the trigger. "Happy?"

Remus nodded and began to walk out, looking at Roman who had a sympathetic look on his face, but Remus didn't believe it. Once they were in the car he heard the shot go off. "No." He struggled to fight to get out of the door, fighting against Roman who was holding him tight. "Let go of me, let go!"

Logan got back into the car, wiping the gun off. "Now that that is over let's go." He took the clip out of the gun before tucking it into the glove compartment.

"I will never do your bidding, you would have been better off killing me."

"Don't be so dramatic."

"Augie, it's going to be okay," Roman said, but Remus fought and struggled.

"It's Remus!"

"Be sure to remember that Roman, the distraction is gone and Remus, you will fall back into old habits. In the meantime, we need to respect his wants." Roman was struggling to keep Remus in the car, and eventually, out of breath and out of practice, Remus slumped, fighting back his tears.

Remus wasn't going to forget who he was with Janus, his Janus. This would not be the end.

AN: Next Part will be out tomorrow morning.