True Deceit

Chapter 36: Remus

Remus pulled his bedding tightly to his chest, staring at the wall with nonchalant eyes. Throughout a business week of depression and heartbreak, his mind was as substantial as a dry sponge drifting in and out apathy.

He turned his head at the sound of knocking on the bedroom door, catching Roman's eyes.

"Hey, can we talk?"

Remus exhaled deeply, smoothing his moustache with his thumb and forefinger. "Forget it, I just want to be alone."

"Seriously, you can't stay in here forever." Roman argued. He was beginning to tire of his brother's bad attitude, rolling his eyes with irritation. "I've already apologised for what I did in the courtroom; I know it's upset you. But we both agree I did it to protect you, so get up and come to dinner."

Remus shoved his head into his pillow with a loud groan. "I'm not hungry." That was the last straw for Roman. He grabbed his brother's ankle, dragging him out of bed. "Hey, what the hell!?"

By his pyjama hems, Roman towed Remus down the stairs, tossing him into the kitchen with an enormous heave. Remus landed face down on the tiles at Virgil's feet, wineing as he crawled onto his knees.

Anxiety stifled a laugh, smirking up at Roman who winked smugly. Patton raised his eyebrows as he brought a pot to the table, watching as Remus stood to his feet.

"I hate you." He scowled, but his tone suggested he was conceding. He sat himself beside Logan, who adjusted the tie around his neck.

Don't forget I want, Logan. Vengeance against the Light Sides. The shadowed voice whispered in his ear. The logical side shuddered, gritting his teeth as he served himself a ladle of peas from the table.

The four followed suit, beginning filling their plates with lamb korma, rice and boiled vegetables.

"I'm assuming Thomas didn't stay up late?" Patton queried. He did his best to ignore the thought of Janus in his mind, instead focusing on the dinner he'd made.

"Yes, he's managed to go to bed at a reasonable hour for once, nine pm." Logan spoke with a thin smile. "This is delicious, by the way."

Morality smiled, turning to Virgil. "And how are you going, Son?"

Virgil turned to Roman slightly, his cheeks blushing furiously beneath his foundation.

"I'm alright."

Patton creased his forehead, his eyes crowded with concern. "Are you sure?"

"Don't worry Dad." Virgil gave him an untroubled nod, turning to Remus.

"How about you, Remus?" Spoke Patton.

"I'm fine," he shrugged, shuffling in his seat uncomfortably. He did his best to hold in his intrusive comments about the dead animal soup sitting in his plate, smiling weakly.

"I'm glad you came to sit with us, the more the merrier." Patton beamed, before diverting his attention to Logan.

"How did you get Thomas to bed so early?"

Logan proceeded to explain how he bribed Thomas with warm milk and a wheat bag, getting him into a calming slumber.

"I realised that being cruel about a strict routine wasn't working for him. He needs to enjoy going to sleep."

Virgil felt the corners of his mouth drop as his anxiety took hold. Between Thomas's enormous work set back and chaotic head space, he considered it likely that between Remus and himself Thomas would not dream soundly.

"And that leaves you Roman, how has your day been?"
"And when he says day, we obviously mean whenever it was you spoke with Deceit." Remus narrowed his eyes momentarily, bringing a boiled carrot to his lips. "We're all very curious about that, aren't we?"

Roman silently cursed his twin for bringing up Janus in front of Patton, who was still tender from the hearing.

"Oh, he was fine." He spoke quickly.

"Princey, did he eat?" Virgil questioned slowly.

Roman shook his head. "But don't worry, I think he'll eat soon."

"And why's that?" Logan inquired.

Roman swallowed, lying hesitantly. "Um, I told him you lot were worried about him, so he should eat, and he seemed to be catching onto my point." It was the best he could come up with on the spot to hide the fact he not only stole his hat, but semi-blackmailed him into consuming food.

Virgil could sense that something wasn't right. Roman was acting much more reserved than usual, as his fingers fidgeted with table cloth. He glanced at Remus, an all knowing glare also in his eyes.

Remus opened his mouth, but before he could talk Virgil kicked his shin under the table. He jolted slightly, clenching his jaw shut with a muffled gripe.

"Okay, well that's good kiddos." Patton tried to smile, making the wise decision to change the subject. "Who's interested in watching a movie tonight?"

"Good idea," Roman grinned, sweeping the issue under the rug.

"Do you want to pick, Remus?" Patton asked with a tilt of his head.

Remus stiffened. "Uh, um..." he thought for a moment, squinting his eyes in an effort to suggest something PG. "Maybe... Hercules?"

"Good choice."