Performance

Act 1; Scene 5

TW: One curse at the end of this TW, Mentions of lying about someone's sexual and gender identity, mentions of homophobic and forced homophobic actions, manipulative and toxic families, Patton being a subtle badass 

Janus is a very complicated person. He lives in a house full of politicians, so of course he's good at lying and manipulation. Hence his alias as Deceit, and the fact that his last name is literally Lies. His family is well aware that they act in self interest. But, Janus is different. He wants to serve people with his ability to pull strings. He likes Robin Hood as a comparison. "Steal from the rich, give to the poor" Janus just happens to be the rich.

His family puppeteers him. He's the face of their family. "New, young generation, the future of our world" type stuff. They control who he's seen with, what his hobbies are, how he spends his free time- they even said that he's pansexual and genderfluid for Pride Month publicity once. (He immediately denied the claims- that was just too far for him, he is gay, but that's it, and it's none of anyone's business.) The claim got a lot of support, though, so he's glad knowing that he has a supportive following. But, he almost lost Roman and Logan because of it. The two boys themselves don't have anything wrong with the community, but their families do, therefore, they must act like they do. It was a painful and awkward time for all of them. Roman got a lot of public backlash for suddenly distancing from Janus in that time, and he got labeled as a homophobe, which still has his supporters considerably low, and his fan base slightly toxic to him. Logan just didn't react, but he told his two best friends about how he had to tell his parents that he was only "pretending" to still like Janus for public opinion. So yeah- difficult times.

Just to clarify- Janus is a cis gendered, closeted gay.

Only the popular kids, or kids that want to be popular, tend to talk to Janus- so you can imagine his surprise when Patton Heart sat next to him in Civics and started asking him a bunch of questions about the worksheet. He was up to something. Didn't they already tell him that they couldn't hang out?

Janus took a deep breath as Patton started to motion for his help, again, he cut him off, "They're called the Miranda Rights- no- it has nothing to do with Lin-Manuel Miranda- I doubt he was even alive when they were created. Now, what do you really want?"

Patton smiled, "Whatever do you mean?" Janus stared at him, "I wanna be friends, duh! I won't take no for an answer!"

Janus clenched his jaw before responding, "Can't."

Patton processed that, "No one will know if you don't tell anyone."

Janus' mind literally went blank for a moment. Patton understood more than he let on. Janus would be lying if he said he wasn't interested in Patton's mind and intentions. Good thing lying is his thing.

"Not interested."

Patton grinned before he started singing, "In the eye of the hurricane...there was quiet...for just a moment...a yellow sky..." (Underrated song, y'all.)

Janus broke, "Fine!"

Patton was still smiling, "Great, meet me at the Heart's Content Café after school, bring your two friends, if you can."

He stood up and walked off as the bell rang, leaving his paper. Janus was irritated by this boy. But he admired him, too. And that is the only reason he's turning in the forgotten worksheet for him. Not in any way, is it because Janus is a good person. Not at all. As Janus collected the papers and looked them over, he was surprised at how every question was answered and correct. At the top was the note,

I don't know, what I know.

P. Heart

Janus repressed a chuckle. Oh, how brilliantly Patton would get along with Roman. Patton's definitely more clever than the airhead you first meet. Janus understood the note.

I don't know, what I know- Patton pretended to not know the answers, as an excuse to talk to Deceit. He had already completed the worksheet as he asked about it, Janus just didn't pay attention.

P. Heart- How Aaron Burr and Hamilton ended their letters to each other. The fact that Patton signed it off like that, implied that the note was intended for someone. A letter.

Obviously, it was intended for Janus to read. Patton made sure Janus knew that with the constant Hamilton and Lin-Manuel Miranda mentions. Patton didn't forget the paper, he counted on Deceit picking it up.

He was clever, he was cunning, and he managed to dupe and manipulate Deceit.

Janus felt his face heat up. It was definitely because of frustration and anger. Definitely.

How did Janus manage to pick up the deeper meaning behind Patton's note? He's smart, clever, and cause I said so, also plot.