Baited~ Book 2

12

(Trigger Warning: Self Harm, Self Hate, Cutting, Blood)

Virgil sighed as he slowly made his way back to the cave. His intention for leaving was simple. He wanted to destroy that fucking building Janus was locked up in. Though it seemed as though someone had already beat him to it. So he decided to go to town and pick up somethings. There were people who smiled at him and there where kids who wanted magic tricks. They all knew him as Roman's fiance. Every single person that knew of him treated him like a prince. Even if he himself didn't necessarily act like it. It was a bit to get used to. Even in Roe, he wasn't treated as such. There he was treated like a monster. A puppet on a very short leash. They avoided any and all eye contact. No one ever came close. The moment he walked in one step towards someone they vanished from sight as if afraid to offend just by being there.

He wasn't used to being treated so... kindly. 

Virgil pushed his way up the hill and frowned at the dull throb in his chest. Roman wasn't well. That much was clear. He wasn't happy about something but... Virgil knew it wasn't bad. As if Roman was worried but understanding. He could feel Roman's fear. He knew it was directed at him. He could feel it but he could also feel his love. Virgil couldn't help but smile. Even though Roman was scared over him leaving, he could feel Roman's trust in him that he'd come back.

There was a moment though... A few actually. Once after Virgil spoke with this demon. Oh, Virgil knew right away they were a demon. He could feel the dark energy. It's very similar to what he feels around other dragons. Although, technically Dragon's are demons. 

The original Dragon was simply a lizard... or in this case a dinosaur, however small it may have been, that came in contact with a demon. The demon promised power and strength to survive against the others that towered over it. All it wanted in return was a body. The lizard offered it its own promising that the demon would be fast and agile. That although small, it was strong with its own might. The demon laughed but not mockingly, for it knew just what would become of them. When the deal was struck the demon and lizard merged creating a complete demon of fire and wind. The very first Fire demon to be created. 

There are others... most dark creatures were created by Demons and their hosts. Hell hounds, Necros, Banshees... the list goes on and on. Virgil shivered as he stopped and just stared at his hand. Virgil was a human born from a Dragon's soul. The soul gave him his power turning him into a dragon... meaning... Virgil was a demon. He watched his hand as it lit up with a bright red fire and he sighed. Not all demons are bad. Just like not all ethereal beings are good.

Virgil laughed as he shook his head. I guess you could say Virgil considered himself in a neutral field. He was a dragon that was for sure. He's accepted and found peace with that fact but he did not consider himself evil... not anymore. That demon... The one that asked him for directions. Virgil felt no malice from them. Sure their energy was chaotic and dark but they felt more akin to himself than any other demon he's come across. Plus...

They said their brother was getting married.

Roman's the only one in the castle that was as far as Virgil new anyway.

Virgil pushed through the door dropping his bags right there as he let out a broken breath. He could feel Roman's fear getting worse. It was like Roman had these episodes. One minute he's worried but ok and the next... Virgil winced feeling this sharp pain stab his chest as his vision blurred a bit. A wave of guilt washed over him as he struggled just to keep a steady breath. It's ok. It's ok, Virgil. He took a deep breath pushing that pain down as much as he could on;y to freeze at the hauntingly familiar metallic scent that filled his senses. 

"Janus?" His own pain was quickly forgotten as he inched himself closer to his old room. His hands shook as he nudged the door open only to find it empty. Light spilled from the bathroom making Virgil's heart drop at the sound of broken and muffled cries. "Jan..."

"VIRGIL?!" Janus tore the bathroom door open completely and froze in the doorway, shock filling his eyes as Virgil quickly covered his nose from the overbearing scent of blood. "Virg..." Virgil's eyes dropped to Janus's wrist and everything broke in him. "I need help."

"Janus!" Virgil ran over pushing Jan back into the bathroom pushing his stained and soaked sleeves as far up as he could with shaking hands. "Jan..." Virgil's eyes spotted the yellow translucent blade and his blood froze as it glitched out of existence. "What..."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Virgil's heart broke as Janus stood there shaking. "I didn't mean to... I-I just..."

"Janus, it's ok." Virgil took a deep breath before rolling his own sleaves up. Janus's eyes narrowed in confusion as Virgil held his hand over Jan's cuts. "This is going to hurt. I'm sorry about that but... It'll stop the bleeding." Jan nodded as he squeezed his eyes shut. Virgil bit his lip as his hand lit up with red hot flames. It burned Janus's skin, who in turn tried really hard to suppress the whimper as Virgil cauterized the wounds. Virgil blinked letting the fire change to a white flame and Janus's brow furrowed noticing the pain ebbing away.

"Virg?" Virgil let his hand drop as tears spilled from his eyes. Janus opened his to find his arm better. Not healed but not bleeding or hurting either. Their eyes met for only a second before Virgil slammed into him wrapping his arm around in desperation as he cried. Janus was just stunned. "Why... Why would help me?" Virgil tensed as Janus suppressed the sobs. "After everything, I've done to you... why?"

"Jan..."

"Why?" Janus pushed himself out of Virgil's arms as his eyes went yellow. "What is wrong with me?!" Virgil could feel his anxiety getting worse making the pain in his chest grow as no doubt Roman was feeling it too. Janus was full-on crying as he backed himself into the wall. "Why am I so..." Janus gripped his hair as he slid down to the floor. Virgil frowned as he knelt down beside him. Janus just shook as he stared off at nothing. "I don't understand. W-Why am I such a monster?"

"Janus..."

"I would never have done any of that. I loved you." Virgil's eyes widened a bit as Janus clenched his fists. "I really did. But... I still hurt you. I hurt you over and over again because father..." Virgil tensed as Janus seemed to deflate. his hands went back to the head as he cried. "I don't want to be that way anymore. I don't like how I was. I don't understand what happened. After everything I went through I just ended up becoming just like them."

"Janus, everything going to be ok." Virgil swallowed his fear as he brushed his arm against Jan's arm. "You just not feeling like yourself. Once we get you home and with Kuro, you..."

"NO!" Janus jumped back hitting his head hard against the wall as Virgil flinched. Janus shook his head as he shook making Virgil even more concerned. "No... I can't. I can't go back. I can't be with her. Not yet. Not until I know..." Virgil's eyes darkened as Janus gripped his shirt tightly unable to catch his breath. "I want her but... If I find her now... If I go back too soon... I'll just go back to being Deceit. I don't want to be Deceit."

"But you are Dece..."

"DO NOT CALL ME THAT!" Virgil reeled back as Janus curled up into himself. "I'm not Deceit. I'm not. I'm Janus. I'm not Deceit. Deceit's a monster. Deceit's a puppet. I'm not him. I don't want to be him. I don't... I don't... I d..." Virgil pulled the snake in as he broke down in sob. Janus clutched Virgil's hoodie tightly as he shook uncontrollably. "Please, help me. I don't want to hurt anyone else. I don't... I don't want to be Deceit ever again."

"It's ok, Jan. I've got you." Virgil held on tight as he let his warm branch out till Janus was left in a relaxed and sleepy haze. "I'm right here. I'm not leaving you again." Virgil pressed his forehead against Janus's head as he blinked away the tears that fell. "I promise."