(ON HOLD) On a Purgatory High / Sanders Sides / Polysanders

Chapter 14 - A True Monster

As always with all my big trigger sections, you can skip the worst parts. In terms of this chapter, you'll be able to skip the mauling and body horror. I'll have a summary at the bottom (hehe)

TW: Roman, Violence (slapping, biting (down to and through bone), failed self-defence, mutilation), threats to imprison, threats to harm, comparison to slavery, toxic "relationship", emotional and physical abuse, blood, gore, suicidal thoughts and begging to die, passing out and body horror that is possibly an arachnophobia trigger.

Yeah...You're gonna have to prepare yourself for this one. At least it starts nice.

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The setting sky bathed the courtyard in a warm pinkish-orange, the warm light reflecting off the dewy blades of grass and leaves. The air was just starting to cool, some stars even beginning to appear as the blanket of the day fell.

"I've never been out here before. I've been in the winter courtyard and spring, but never summer." Virgil muttered, not speaking too loudly to not disturb the peace. For while, the only sounds were the chains of the swing and the rustling of leaves.

"I come out here a lot. It's a nice place to escape."

"I can see what you mean." Virgil chuckled, relaxing back into the plush, cushioned seat, his little knitting project in his hand. It wasn't much right now, just a tiny blue square, but just you wait. Soon it would be a marvellous purse. Hell, he could even give this to Patton when he was done. It seemed right up his alley.

However, whilst he was reclining back, he accidentally leaned into Janus' side. It was barely even noticeable to most people, and would almost definitely be platonic if it was noticed... But it didn't feel like that. "Oh! Uh, sorry."

"No, no. It's fine. I don't mind." Virgil sucked in a breath and looked aside, praying that his cheeks weren't tinting pink. He didn't even notice that Janus was the same.

They both seemed to think about it for a few seconds before Virgil bit his lip and leaned against the vampire. And Jesus Christ, what was he doing. Since when did he grow balls the size of frying pans? Janus breathed out a laugh but continued with his movements as if nothing had happened. Virgil was very happy to just watch his movements and followed along. Hopefully, he'd be able to get a hang of it soon.

Maybe he'd be able to knit Janus a present!

"How are you feeling, Virgil?" Janus asked out of the blue... And wasn't that the age-old question? He paused as if to think about it first, soon coming to a conclusion with a bright smile.

"I'm... Feeling pretty good right now." He decided as he continued to follow after Janus' movements, watching in awe as he moved the needles with almost surgical precision. He looked so focused but relaxed, in the zone but not stressing over details. He wasn't worried about missing a segment - in fact, when he did it seemed to ground him and he fixed it almost instantly. "How are you?"

"I'm pretty good, too. It's been a while since I've been able to teach knitting." Virgil almost cooed because Janus' eyes were sparkling. Maybe... Maybe he liked Janus. Just a little bit.

"Jan, I'm so curious. How did you start knitting?" Virgil hummed, looking up at the vampire through his eyelashes. Janus glanced at him but only briefly, breaking his gaze as soon as he could. Virgil didn't think much of it.

"Well... Knitting has existed since before I was born, but it was more of a 'woman's job' back in the day. I always had an interest in it - I always used to watch my grandma knit when I was a child." Janus laughed before his face dropped as if getting caught in his memories. "It took a while for me to start, though.

Probably about 200 years ago when I decided that I was too old to bother with all the 'gender norms' and shit. There comes a point when you decide you just don't care what all the pompous assholes think."