Vices and Maces

Chapter 22: Kayden Will Kill Remus in His Sleep

CW: sexual innuendos

"Hm, do you think I could get a new jacket?" Remus asked, grabbing a green denim jacket from a clothing rack. "This one looks good. Green! Just like me!"

Kayden rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't you want something that contrasts against your skin tone."

"Oh since when did you become a fashion expert?"

"When it became clear to me that you certainly wouldn't be able to help with outfit designs." Kayden smiled when he heard Remus make an offended noise.

"I guess it makes sense that you worry so much over your outfits when you have a hot boy that you work with everyday." It was Remus's turn to smile as Kayden's eyes widened. He turned away and put the green denim jacket away, grabbing a black one.

"What are you talking about?" Kayden looked away from his dad, looking through some shirts instead. He was glad his dark skin tone was able to hide his blush.

"Cecil! Don't act like there's nothing there."

"Yeah, it's called friendship."

"Uh huh, well your little flight with him looked different. He's easier to fluster than you, so try not to kill him."

Kayden huffed. "We're friends, that's it."

"For now, but there's a little bud of love there, bud."

"You're so embarrassing. When you said you'd take me out shopping today, I didn't come expecting this sort of talk."

Remus patted his shoulder. "You'll never be able to predict my next move."

Kayden looked at the jacket he was holding. "You're going to cover that in paint and patches."

"Okay, so you can predict some things! But only the obvious stuff." The halfling looked over the jacket. "Ah, I wonder if I can get another Bleeding Rose patch. Oh! I can paint a big one on the back!"

"Yeah, it'll be a nice target for Wolfsbane's shooting practice. Please don't do that."

"Fine! I'll put it on the shoulder. Only 'cause I have another jacket at home that has a big one on the back already. Ooh, maybe this can be my sexy time jacket."

"You don't even have a boyfriend."

"I don't need a boyfriend to have sex."

"You also don't need a jacket. In fact- ugh nevermind. This conversation is giving me a headache."

"You know what gives me a headache?"

"No. Shut up. You're so gross."

Remus laughed, "An astute observation my dear bud." he booped Kayden's nose. "I wish you were as gross as me, because then asking Cecil out would be easy peasy!"

"Stop!" Kayden walked off. "I'm running away. Don't follow."

"Stay in the store." Remus laughed more. He set the dark jacket into the cart and pushed on.

He went over to the clearance aisle, looking for shirts or pants that he could tear or change. Just as Remus picked out an ugly green and yellow plaid shirt, he heard a familiar voice.

"Oh just relax, you're acting like you're walking to your death."

He turned around and saw Jay, holding an empty basket and walking with someone else. The other looked tense, hugging himself in a black hoodie. His hood was up, purple hair falling in front of his eyes.

"You know I don't like to leave th- home," the man replied.

Janus sighed, "Introvert. You have to leave sometimes."

"If-if he finds out I'm not working..."

"Vee, I'll deal with Black if he-" Janus cut himself off when he saw Remus staring at them. "Ah shit."

"Oh, hey Jay!" Remus broke out of his shock. "Funny running into you here."

"We seem to run into each other quite often," Janus responded through gritted teeth. He stepped in front of Virgil and his hand hovered over where his knife was hidden.

"Jay? Who...?" Virgil asked.

"Oh, I'm just an old buddy of his. Nothing important." Remus shrugged. He didn't want to make a scene here, especially with his kid nearby. No doubt Kayden would jump into the fight to help his dad. Plus the man with him didn't look like a fighter, was he a date? "No time to catch up though, I should get going."

"Hey dad! Do you think Uncle R will like this?" Kayden called, walking back over. Remus internally cursed.

"Dad?" Janus asked.

"Adopted," Remus answered.

"Oh..."

"Aw, were you jealous for a moment? Don't worry, I'm a single man." Remus shimmied his shoulders.

Janus rolled his eyes with a sneer. "As if I would be into you. You might as well quit flirting with me, it's not going to happen."

Remus smiled. "I don't know, I happen to be really good with men you play hard to get."

Kayden finally caught up. "Stop harassing people," he told Remus.

"You were the one that pointed out I had no boyfriend! And like you're one to talk, you can't even ask you-know-who out!"

"Dad!"

"Well we should get going," Remus told Janus. "It was nice running into you though!"

"Sure, bye," Janus said numbly, confused by the whole interaction. He watched them as they left, overhearing their conversation.

"Who were those two?" Kayden asked as they walked away.

"Friends," Remus answered.

"Uh huh, sure. So who are they really?"

"You're a horrible son."

Virgil frowned. "Who was that?"

"Just an acquaintance." Janus turned away and back to Virgil. "We should probably shop at a different place though."

"Oh." The dragon seemed to get the idea.

Janus didn't react, instead they just started walking towards the exit. Thorn has a kid? He looks old enough to take care of himself, but Janus still didn't expect it. It was obvious they were adopted, since they looked nothing alike.

His reaction was so confusing. For a moment he might have been relieved that Thorn was single. But why? He was the enemy! He's a leader of Bleeding Rose! It didn't matter if he was dating someone or not, it didn't even matter if he has a kid! Janus was given a direct order to kill him. And twice now... he let him walk away alive without a fight.

Virgil was on edge before, but seeing Janus so tense made it even worse. That man was more than an 'acquaintance.' And judging from the shifter's reaction when he saw him, it probably wasn't good. But at least they were getting out of there.

"Can we just go back to the factory?" Virgil asked.

"Nope, we'll just go to the other side of town. Let's get some ice cream."

Virgil sighed, "Only if you're paying."

"Then you're not getting ice cream."

"You're the one that dragged me out here!"

Janus shrugged. "Next time just don't come."

"You literally picked me up and kidnapped me."