Baited~ Book 2

25

Roman was sitting there staring at the snake in thought. All of which were bad... about himself. His guilt was eating away at him. His issue was his thoughts were going wide with they were given... nothing. Well, that Virgil wasn't coming. Even though Janus said he wasn't leaving... his mind wouldn't shut up.

'Come on Roamy. Don't you wanna see Deceit break?'  Roman's eyes narrowed as conversation went on around him. Janus sat across from him as his lizard laid curled up on his lap staring at Roman with gleaming red eyes. It's dark scales contrasting with the white patterns made it look very unique and Roman frowned, his thoughts going back to Virgil... or, well, Janus. 'Roro, let's go. Do something. You know you want to. And it won't take long you just gotta push. Break him. Break Deceit.'

"His name is Janus." The lizard's head shot up as Roman's gaze dropped. "So shut up."

'Can't do that Roman. I'm here to the end remember. You'll never get rid of me. So just do us both a favor and give up. Beat the shit out of the man that stole your dragon.'  Roman's eyes darted about as he clenched his fist.His frustration and fear built up in him as the lizard tilted it's head noticing how Roman was looking. 'You know you can hurt him, right? It'll be easy. He's cursed, weak, and dragonless. Do it."

"I said no!" A hand went to Roman's shoulder startling him only to look up to find Remus giving him this look. "Sorry. I uh... sorry."

"It's ok, Roman. We understand. We just want to make sure that... you're ok." Roman's sighed as he glance down and Remus frowned. "We see."

"It's nothing new." Remus's eyes darkened as Roman hugged himself.

"That could mean a multitude of things, Roman. Either its telling you your weak again or it's telling you to hurt someone." Roman's eyes darted to Janus making the snake tense up and Remus sighed. "Do you wanna spar?"

"Uh, no." Roman laughed as he leaned back in a way that show his usual pride and not how bad his mind was cracking right now. "Janus just got here Remus. The last thing he needs is to worry about me snapping." Roman frowned as his hands clenched. "It's bad enough I have to... to fight Him more now."

"Roman, if me being here is causing you more problems..." Roman jumped up instantly taking Janus's hands with bright purple eyes. "Roman?"

"You're staying." Roman sat down on the other side of the snake as the lizard sat himself up and moved to the side until just before he would end up on Roman's lap. "Janus, I'll be fine. It's hard yes. But it's hard regardless.... what I'm working through..." Roman's eyes fell as he let go of Janus's hands a shook. "I'm going to be dealing with it forever. Remus has been helping... even if their methods are a bit..."

"Well, if you would let Virgil help..."

"NO!" Everyone including the lizard flinched at the glitchy growl the escaped Roman's mouth. "I don't want Virgil having anything to do with that."

"But..."

"Remus, I said no." Roman's eyes flickered like purple fire making everyone tense up as he smirked. "Do not make me say it again. Virgil is not to even know. I don't want him around this. And I don't want him around me when I'm... like that. The last thing I want to do is scare him... o-or worse. It's... It's better he isn't here." 

"Except it isn't..." Remus frowned seeing Roman deflate in understanding. The demon watched as the tiny lizard practically pawed at Roman with this look in it's eyes and Remus sighed. "Roman, you have to tell him at some point. You need him." Janus's eyes went wide as he glanced down at the lizard and frowned. "Without him you..."

"If he could go 200 years without me then I can go..."

"That was before he ever met you. You can't use that to make it seem fine. Roman, your mi..." The demon froze up seeing the pained look on Roman's face and sighed again. "Roman let's go."

"What... no, I said..."

"We're going to spar whether you like it or not." Roman frowned and nodded knowing his brother was right. Remus watched as Roman got up and started for the door only for Janus to have to hold the lizard back. Remus narrowed their eyes knowingly as they walked over and held their hand out making Janus confused. "May we?" Janus frowned as he pulled the lizard in, who looked up in concern for the snake. "It's ok, Jan. We simply would like to hold him. We would love it if you came too."

"Wait hold up. I just said..." Remus growled shutting Roman up as Janus frowned and looked around at everything. "But Ray..."

"Trust us on this Roman." Janus took his hand letting the demon pull him up before letting the lizard make his way over till he was sitting on Remus's shoulder. Remus smiled brushing their finger against the small thing with glowing green eyes and a knowing smirk. "Why don't we show you what we've been doing?"

"Be careful with him, Remus." Janus spoke so softly but the demon could hear the threatening hiss with his words. "If anything happens to that lizard, you'll have an entire kingdom hunting you." Remus only smirked playfully as they nudged Janus's arm.

"Don't worry, our silly serpent." Remus laughed as they felt the lizard rub up against them with a slight, if possible, purr. "We won't let a thing harm him."