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Remy practically kicked the door of the Prince’s mansion down. His feet treaded heavily over the shiny titled entryway. His combat boots climbed all the way up his legs, decorated with spikes and other metal bits. He swooped the large trench coat around as he spun happily. The fishnet fingerless gloves that he wore connected to his solid black tshirt. He smirked his bright red lips, flicking his reflective glasses off and tossing them aside. He bared his teeth, showing off the fake fangs that completed his look.
“Sup, Bit-!” The sentence was brought to an abrupt halt as his eyes landed on Patton. The fatherly figure’s eyebrows quirked, and his eyes flashed, daring Remy to finish that sentence. Remy felt sweat breaking out on his forehead as he chuckled nervously, “Oh…uh…hi, Dad.” Patton’s lips quirked into a smile,
“Oh, hi, Remy.” Anything Remy was planning on saying after that was cut off as Virgil tackled him into a hug,
“Fucking finally!” He cheered.
“Virgil!” The teen froze and turned slowly.
“Dad!” He gasped, face turning bright red, “I-uh, I didn’t see you and,” Patton crossed his arms,
“I raised you better than to use that kind of language, Kiddo!” Virgil blushed harder and dropped his head,
“I know…sorry, Dad.” Patton sighed,
“Just don’t do it again.” He shook his head and made his way out of the room, calling for Logan as he went. Remy burst out into a series of giggles.
“Gurl!” He wheezed, “Your face went SO red!” Virgil glared at him, cheeks still burning,
“You made me like this! You should take fucking responsibility!” He hissed. Remy gasped,
“Virgil Storm-Prince,” he scolded in his best Patton impersonation, “you know very well that I only permit you to speak like you’re in front of a fourth-grade classroom.”
“How am I the one who is the youngest and yet also the most responsible?” Logan drawled as he entered the room, looking like he’d rather be literally anywhere else.
Virgil was decked in a pirate costume that was painfully historically inaccurate. He was going for more of a spooky vibe with all the chains and the flashy bits that he just kept adding. Logan eventually asked him how he intended to survive if he fell off the ship to which Virgil replied that the pirate was already dead so couldn’t be killed. It was the same every year. Roman and Virgil got far too swept up in their costumes and the characters they made up to go with them. It had turned into a sort of bonding experience for the two of them over the four years that they’d lived here. Logan, for his part, didn’t much care for Halloween but went along with the antics for the sake of free candy. This year he was dressed in his normal clothing. His shirt was tucked neatly into his jeans and a tie was hung snugly around his neck. Remy looked him up and down before asking the obvious question,
“Who are you supposed to be.” Logan continued to look done with the situation as he straightened his perfect tie even more,
“A nerd.” Virgil blinked a few times before stepping closer to his little brother,
“Cool.” He said at last, turning back towards the doorway, “You slowpokes coming or what?!” He shouted.
“We’re coming, we’re coming, don’t rush perfection!” Roman’s answer came as he swept into the room followed by Patton and Remus.
Roman was dressed in full Prince Charming attire. The fitted white suit, the crown, the polished boots, and so many shiny brass buttons. A red caplet hung down behind him, completing the look. Patton was dressed in his own clothing, wearing nothing extra except a camera. He’d struck a deal on the first Halloween that he wouldn’t have to dress up if he was the photographer. This solved a lot of problems, actually. Roman couldn’t stand not being in pictures, Remus couldn’t be trusted with the camera, and the kids (at that time) had wanted nothing that had to do with standing still. The only person who was dismayed with the arrangement was Janus who now had no excuse not to dress up. It was, perhaps, the most indirectly diabolical thing Patton had ever done to him. Remus, for his part, was dressed as something but no one was sure what that thing was. The hodgepodge of pieces that were all over his body made it impossible to sum it up in anyway except maybe “abstract art”. Puzzle pieces trailed down the side of his face, but his entire body from the collar down was wrapped in plastic wrap. A large fake palm leaf was sticking up behind his head like a peacock feather. Other than that, it was like playing a game of “I Spy” with the different items that could be seen peaking out from the man’s layers. Logan was pretty sure he saw Virgil’s missing homework from a few weeks ago wrapped up snuggly.
“Alright!” Patton chirped, “Everyone squeeze in for a picture!” Logan grunted as Remus snagged him and pulled him close. He plastered on a realistic smile long enough for Patton’s camera to click before quickly making his way out of the group.
He felt antsy for some reason. Like the world was moving too fast for him to keep up and everything was too loud and too bright and too much. He sighed as he felt his heart begin to pound. He’d gotten through worse, though, he thought. He shoved down the discomfort and let himself back into the happy hubbub.
“Who says Halloween is only for children!?” Roman charged with a bright smile. Logan shifted behind him,
“Most people, actually.” He muttered under his breath. Remy turned towards him,
“You say something, Babe?” He asked, looking at the younger teen over the rims of his reflective glasses.
“No.” Logan answered, “Shouldn’t we head out? Uncle J will be waiting on us.”
Heading out was always easier said than done. There were at least three things that needed to be forgotten and then remembered and then someone inevitably needed to do something last minute. By the time everyone was finally in the car, Remus would disappear only to be found somewhere he shouldn’t be and then they had to convince him to get into a safer place. This usually took another twenty minutes depending on the day before they would all finally actually get underway. Logan often found these antics amusing but today they were irksome. Remus whined too loudly, Remy and Virgil wouldn’t stop giggling, Patton wouldn’t stop clicking his camera, and Roman seemed even more extra than usual. The whole thing made him grit his teeth to fight the urge to scream and storm back into the house. His heart raced again. He ignored it and climbed into the middle seat in the back.
“Are we there yet?” Remy asked, sending Virgil into a fit of giggles,
“Bro, we haven’t even left the driveway!” Logan contemplated murder.
Janus was standing outside the haunted maze/Halloween party/torture house disguised as fun. He crossed his arms and shifted his weight as he checked his phone for a message from Roman. He was dressed in a simple yet comfortable black suit and a large flowing cape with a mask covering half his face. He’d agreed to go as the Phantom of the Opera on the strict conditions that Roman wouldn’t call him the angel of music and none of them were allowed to ask him to sing. He shot another text off to Roman asking again for an ETA only to have a familiar minivan come into view. Patton found a place to park, and the well-known forms of Janus’ makeshift family clambered out. Virgil was practically vibrating with excitement, and it was nice to see him enthusiastic about something that involved interacting with other people. Roman matched the enthusiasm, Remy seemed chill with it, Patton smiled fondly, Remus licked the tires, and Logan…Logan seemed off. Janus’ sharp eyes locked onto the youngest of their group and tried to read his body language. It was hard to do it in the dark, but he could see that Logan was tense. His head was bowed, and his fingers curled tightly against his palms. Mr. D cocked his head to one side and raised a hand in to wave them over,
“Janus!” Roman chirped happily as he flew to the man’s side, “You look stunning! Turn, I want to get the whole experience!” Janus shot him a glare,
“Stop flirting in front of the children.”
“I’m 19!” Virgil squawked.
“Children.” Mr. D repeated firmly. Patton smiled fondly as Virgil continued to pout. He turned to glance behind him,
“Remus! Logan! Don’t dawdle, I don’t want you guys to get lost!”
“Coming!” Remus shouted before snatching Logan’s hand, “Come on, Birdie!” He said but froze as Logan wrenched his hand away. They both stood there, Logan looking just as surprised.
“Uh,” he stammered, “Sorry! You just surprised me.” He walked quickly past Remus, avoiding eye contact. Remus watched him, eyes shifting to a light that was deeper than his usual crazed look. He slipped up next to Janus, looming up like a shadow.
“Birdie.” He said quietly. Janus nodded,
“I noticed; I’m watching him. It’s okay. Go scare some children.” He smiled at Remus who searched his face for a few moments before seeming to accept that Logan was in good hands and ran off to go terrorize some people.
Virgil and Remy were making a beeline for the haunted maze and the rest of them were following close behind. Logan was sandwiched in the middle of the group with Janus and Patton bringing up the rear, Roman on his right, and Remy and Virgil in the front. The antsy feeling from earlier was getting harder to ignore. He didn’t want to go into the haunted walk. He knew this and he knew that the others wouldn’t mind if he didn’t. They would be understanding and kind about it but…he couldn’t seem to get his mouth to form words or to get his brain to work properly. Before he knew it, they were inside. Remy snatched Virgil’s hand,
“Okay, teams of two, whoever gets out first wins! I’m taking Verge with me!” Roman squealed happily,
“What do you say Jan?” He asked excitedly. Janus huffed,
“Take Patton with you, I’d rather have photo evidence of your terror.” He reached over and placed a light touch on Logan’s elbow. “I’ll take Logan.” Patton smiled,
“Okay, everyone has everyone else’s number? Just in case?” Confirmations were given and two of the three teams were dragged off by enthusiastic trick or treaters. Logan stood silently with Janus next to him, not even seeming to have noticed the others leaving.
“Logan?” Janus stooped a little to see into the boy’s face. His eyes seemed distant and his breath was a little fast. Janus tutted softly, carefully carding a hand through the boy’s hair, “Little Bird,” he called softly, “hey,” he smiled gently as Logan’s gaze finally met his, “there you are.” He reached up and took of his phantom mask so Logan could see him clearly.
“Uncle?” Logan whispered, “Where’s everyone else?” He looked around in anxious confusion. D took his hand,
“They went off in teams.” He explained, “Something about a race to the end or something.” He felt Logan’s fingers tighten around his hand, “Shall we go around?” He said gently. Logan’s whole frame trembled slightly.
“If we do, they’ll know I was too scared to go through.” He muttered. Janus tilted his head slightly,
“And?” He pushed, “You know there’s nothing wrong with avoiding unnecessary fear. People do this for fun. If its not fun, you don’t have to do it.” He shrugged, “Plain and simple as that.” Logan bit his lip and shifted again.
“I shouldn’t be scared.” He whispered. Janus sighed,
“Says who?” He gestured around them, “Point out who is setting these parameters. They need to talk to Roman.” That got a surprised giggle out of Logan and Janus drew him close, tucking him under his cape.
“I want to go through it.” Logan whispered. Janus sighed.
“Stay close, keep your eyes closed if you have to. I’ll go slowly.” He began to walk, Logan sticking close to his side.
They must’ve looked interesting, tangled up like that. Logan’s hands clutching tightly to the man’s clothes, hiding under his large cape. Janus kept walking, slow and steady, his breath even and his heartrate steady. It wasn’t hard for him to push down fear or excitement, he’d spent his whole life doing it. Logan had his eyes closed by the time they got out of the maze. He was shaking and clinging to Janus as the final scarer watched them go by. Janus nodded a thanks to them when they let the two pass without that last jump scare. Logan, completely unaware they were in the clear continued to hold on for dear life. Janus looked around, eyes falling first on the rest of their party all talking excitedly amongst themselves and then onto a bench that was, surprisingly, vacant. He quietly hummed as he led Logan to it, pulling them both down.
“Little Bird.” He mumbled, “You did it. You can open your eyes now.” Logan shook his head quickly. Janus let Logan rest against him and dug his phone out, shooting a quick text off to Patton and Roman. He watched the two of them fish out their phones before they began to look around for their missing companions.
“Logan,” Roman whispered as he sat down on the other side of the boy, “hey, you wanna go home?” Logan shifted enough so one eye could peek out at his guardian. Roman’s heart ached when he saw the beginnings of tears forming in the boy’s eyes. He reached out and gently removed the glasses that were pressing uncomfortably into the teen’s face. Virgil hovered anxiously behind Roman while Patton settled on Janus’ other side, pulling a bottle of water out of his ‘dad-satchel’ that he carried with him everywhere.
“Here, Kiddo,” he said, handing Janus the bottle, “drink something, yeah?” Logan shook his head again, tucking himself back into the safe darkness of Mr. D’s costume. Janus sighed, looking up at the two worried adults,
“I think he’s having a sensory overload. I’ll take him home, keep an eye on Remus for me.” He stood, dragging a reluctant Logan with him, accepted the glasses from Roman, gave Virgil a reassuring pat on the head, and began to lead the boy away.
Virgil watched them go with torn feelings. He should go with Logan. He was meant to protect him, they shouldn’t have separated in the first place! Guilt must’ve been evident on his face because Roman was pulling him into a side hug.
“Janus will take good care of him.” He said with a soft smile, “Logan will be alright. If anything does happen,” Roman stressed before Virgil could bring it up, “we will be the first to know. It’s Uncle D, you know how he is.” Virgil chewed the dead skin on his lips nervously as the figures of Mr. D and his brother were finally swallowed up by the dark.
“Babes,” Remy nudged him, “come on, let’s get your mind off it.”
“I should’ve noticed.” Virgil lamented as Remy dragged him through the crowd,
“We all should’ve.” Remy agreed, “But he’s safe and he’ll be happy with snek boi. Janus will call you if Logan needs you.” Remy stopped and faced his anxious friend, “You are allowed to enjoy yourself when your needs are different from Logan’s.” With that, he pulled Virgil towards the sounds of chaotic fun and Roman and Patton trailed behind.
When Mr. D got Logan to his car, it was difficult to convince the teen to let go. He gently coaxed him into the vehicle, wrapping the cape around his shoulders like a security blanket. Logan looked small in that. He was still considered very small for his age and, while he couldn’t not be comfortably carried around by anyone except Roman and Remus anymore, he was still often tucked against the chest of one of his many guardian angels. Bundled into the car at last, Logan tried to steady his breathing as they drove him. Janus said nothing, letting the boy play with his own thoughts. He shot a glance in the lad’s direction, watching as Logan stiffened and began to play robot with himself. Old habits are hard to break, especially when you’ve used them to survive.
The Prince mansion was quiet and dark when they arrived. The outside lights had been shut off to keep from wasting the time of excited trick or treaters and the lack of bright light was doing wonders for Logan’s overly sensitive eyes. Janus pulled his door open and led him inside, helping him out of his tie and the cape. He hummed softly as he guided Logan through the grand hall entrance and up the stairs to Logan’s own room. A bit of fumbling followed as they both removed their shoes and Janus got Logan down onto the bed. The boy didn’t need to ask, Janus just knew. He got under the covers with his honorary nephew and Logan immediately sought the warmth of Janus’ hugs. The agent smiled down at the lad, watching as he finally began to let go.
Tears were something that, as much as he hated to say it, Janus was used to seeing from the Storm boys. Now, they were even a relief to see. Logan’s lips trembled and his teeth grit together as he tried to control the overwhelming emotion. Janus tugged him a little closer, letting Logan hide his face against his chest.
“I’ve got you.” He murmured gently, “It’s okay, let it out, you’re okay.” Too long had these boys been asked to hide their sorrows and fears, Janus thought, but how far they had come. The honor of the trust that Logan had put in Janus just to be able to unleash his stormy tears comfortably around the agent brought about unspeakably tender feelings. He continued to shush the distraught boy until tears gave way to whimpers and whimpers gave way to sleep.
Roman smiled down at the picture that he’d gotten from Janus. The agent was smiling gently up at the camera with Logan nestled close to him. He leaned across the picnic table to show Patton who cooed at the photo. They looked up to make sure their own boys hadn’t gone to far away from them. Remus was with them, scaring away the paid professional scarers. Virgil and Remy had long since given up trying to convince him to leave them alone. Remy was now finding and joining as many TikTok videos as he could. Unsurprisingly, he knew every single dance and had enough confidence to shake what his mamma gave him like there was no tomorrow. Virgil was torn between laughing and cringing at his best friend’s antics.
Eventually, Roman was able to bribe them with food to finally get them to agree to leave. Fast food tasted so good after such an adrenaline high. The happy chatter in the back seat eventually began to quiet down as sleepiness settled in. They were home soon enough, and Patton dragged the tired teens inside with Remus’ help. He sent them up to get cleaned up and changed before going to check on Logan. He met Roman at the door who smiled before pushing it open. Inside, the sounds of Logan’s steady breath met their ears. Janus tilted his phone and looked at them with curious expression.
“Just checking.” Patton whispered, “Need help getting free?” Janus smiled at him,
“Please, suits are not meant to be slept in.”
It took some suspenseful manhandling, but Janus was free soon enough. Roman carefully unbuttoned Logan’s shirt and managed to slip it off. The boy muttered sleepily as a soft hoodie was pulled over his head. Roman shushed him quietly and laid him down once more. They watched as Logan gripped a pillow and snuggled into it. Patton stifled a squeal and quickly made his way out.
“How did we get such a cute kid?!” He demanded once they were safely out of earshot.
“Blessings from above, I guess.” Janus answered as he stretched, “Did the other boys have fun?”
He listened sleepily as Patton gave him a brief rundown of the antics before promising to tell him more details and to show him pictures in the morning. They bid each other goodnight and went on their separate ways. Roman returned to the downstairs a few minutes later, making sure everything was locked up. He paused by Virgil’s room where he could hear the Remy and the emo conversing quietly. He knocked lightly before opening the door,
“Hey,” he whispered, “bedtime.” Virgil looked up at him and Roman was surprised to see something close to distress on the lad’s face. He pushed his way inside, “What’s wrong, Starlight?” He asked gently. Virgil shook his head,
“Sorry, it’s nothing.” Remy sighed heavily.
“He’s worried Logan’s gonna hate him for not coming home with him.” Roman looked Virgil up and down, watching the boy duck his head. He sat down on the bed next to the teen and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
“Stay right here.” He finally said and got back up, leaving the door wide open as he left. Virgil looked towards Remy with a questioning look. The diva only shrugged.
Logan was jostled awake by a pair of strong arms scooping him up. He cracked his eyes open slightly, feeling sluggish from all the crying. He wrapped his arms around Roman’s neck and breathed in the smell of his fancy shampoo and bodywash. It took another few seconds for him to find his voice,
“Where…?”
“It’s okay.” Roman’s voice held the hint of a smile, “Virgil’s worried about you.” Logan relaxed as Roman made the short trip back into Virgil’s room.
The older teen perked up considerably as Logan was brought in. He immediately made room on the bed and Roman lowered the sleepy teen down. Logan blinked sleepily before rolling over to find that familiar sense of warmth and familiarity. Virgil was eager to give it as he gathered Logan to his chest. Remy smiled and snapped a picture with his phone. Roman pulled the covers over them both and pressed kisses to their foreheads. He ruffled Remy’s hair and turned back to the door,
“Goodnight, my dears.” He said as he flicked off the light, “Happy Halloween.”