Demus Oneshots

Shrouded Pt. 2

Since you wanted it, here it is

Janus looked up as the clock in the hallway chimed. He closed his book with a snap and lept up from the table.

"Are you really going to leave your book there?" A voice asked.

"I promise I'll put it back later, Oscar." Janus promised, pulling on his hood and not bothering to look at the other librarian.

"Yeah, once you've finished sucking on your dear gardener's face." Oscar said, rolling his eyes and swiping the book from the table. Janus paused in the doorway.

"How did you-?"

"Lo told me." Oscar said simply. He slotted the book back into its place on the shelf. "Plus, you're very easy to read, your Highness. You're not as snappish or sharp as you usually are and your tone suggests you're smiling under that hood." Oscar looked over at the royal, his eyes flashing. "Well, go on. Re will miss you."

Janus left the library, trying not to make it too obvious that he was running.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." Janus said, pushing his hood back fully over his head. It'd slipped down when he was running. Remus looked up at him and grinned.

"It's fine." He said. "It's kinda nice to play when I know I'm not going to annoy anyone."

Janus slumped down on a chair, crossing his legs and letting out a puff of air. "You're not annoying. Cause you can actually play decently." He added quickly. Remus' grin grew.

"I know what you meant, your Highness." He said. "You're getting very easy to read." He turned back to the piano and Janus threw his hands up in despair.

"Everyone keeps telling me that!" Janus protested. "You, Oscar, everyone! How do I get back to being like before? That was so much easier!"

Remus laughed. "You're cute when you get frustrated." He said and Janus looked down, feeling a blush creep up his face. "And I dunno. You've opened up a lot more, guess that's why you're easier to read."

Janus crossed his arms moodily. "Well, I don't like it." He said. Remus giggled. He spun around on the piano stool and rested his chin in his hand, gazing at Janus with a sort of adoration.

"What?" Janus asked.

"Nothing." Remus said, still gazing at Janus. "I'm still trying to work out how I managed to get someone as beautiful as you, that's all."

Janus tilted his head away from Remus, laughing. "First of all, you don't even know what I look like so you have no right to use the word 'beautiful'. And second, if I knew how I stooped so low as to fall for you," Remus laughed, "I would tell you. But I've no idea."

Remus' laughs receded into giggles. "Wow, thanks, your Highness. The highest of compliments." He said sarcastically. "And if you think playfully insulting me is going to make you harder to read, you're wrong."

"Dammit." Janus muttered, apparently loud enough for Remus to hear as he burst out laughing again. "How is it you always laugh so much around me?"

Remus shrugged. "I laugh when I'm happy and I'm happy when I'm round you."

Janus rolled his eyes. "You are sickeningly sweet, Rem." He said. Remus grinned.

"Thank you." Remus said. He sighed a breath up through his fringe. "Anyway, I gotta go."

"Why?" Janus asked.

"Ro's going out to this stupid village thing with his boyfriend and I've agreed to cover his shift."