Love and Loss

Chapter 2

Logan woke up the next day and started his usual routine. Wake up. Get dressed. Brush teeth. Go downstairs. Work. Go upstairs. Work. Sleep. Repeat. However, to Logan's surprise as he headed downstairs, he heard music softly playing, and more importantly music Logan recognized- his playlist. "Logan I'm absolutely shocked to see you this horrid morning." the deceitful trait said, leaning against the kitchen wall in his typical dashin- typical, he meant typical outfit. After taking a moment to compose himself, Logan replied, "Surely it is not Jan-Deceit, you know full well I am always awake at this time." while going past Janus to make himself a cup of coffee. A quick frown fell on Janus's face but as soon as it came it disappeared. "And here I thought only Roman loved my name, I'm thrilled to see you feel the same." Janus said sarcastically and walked over toward Logan. "On the contrary, I think your name is quite fitting. Janus, as you know, is the Roman god of duality and is often depicted as having two faces, hence your snake attributes. Additionally, the god can look into the future and past; foresight and hindsight played a big factor in the latest video." Logan responded, taking a sip of his coffee. "Then why are you still calling me Deceit?" Janus said, looking completely baffled. "Simple, I wasn't sure whether your name reveal extended to me as I was not present at the time it took place." after a split second Logan softly added "I wouldn't want to intrude, names are a power thing, I wouldn't want another side referring to my name if I wasn't ready. That's something I know all too much about" Janus look incredulously at Logan. "My 'name reveal' as you put it most definitely extends to you, though I don't appreciate the courtesy. However, I do see how you could relate to the struggles of name abuse." Janus replied, the last sentence dripping in sarcasm. Logan winced. "Patton outed my name to Thomas." Janus froze. "there was no malintent" Logan rushed. "I know it's not nearly as bad as what you and Virgil went through but on some minor level I can relate" " 'It's not a big deal'- Logan that was your name! You and you alone should have been revealed that to Thomas" Janus spluttered then paused. "You know it's not okay to be angry, or at least frustrated at what happened." Janus said gently. "Nonsense, I am perfectly adequate and we both know I don't have emotions so if you'll excuse me, I need to finish my work." Logan started upstairs but Janus grabbed his wrist. "Logan you hurt me with your blatant lies, like seriously, leave the falsehoods to me" "You, the same as every other person in this hades of a mindscape, have emotions. I can see that they're eating you up inside. You need to express them." Logan stared blankly at Janus. "You're important Logan, you know that right?" Janus said gingerly. Logan yanked his wrist out of Janus's grasp. "Of course, I know that, however needed and wanted are two different things entirely so if you'll excuse me I should go before I bore the other sides with my presence" Logan briskly replied checking the time on his watch. As Logan reached the top of the stairs, he said with his back still turned, "It was a pleasant surprise seeing you Janus, I hope we can converse on less dreary topics soon" before turning the corner going out of Janus's line of view. Janus smiled and hummed along Streaks by Anima! which was currently playing in the mindscape's kitchen. Just as Janus finished his breakfast, he heard the shout of "Reptilian Rapscallion! Reptilian Rapscallion!" and groaned. Janus washed his dishes- he wasn't a heathen after all- and took that as his signal to depart back to his room.