Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

On the night of dinner, Janus was an impatient, nervous wreck. He changed his outfit five times, making such a ruckus that Remus' twin brother and their fellow roommate, Roman, poked his head into his room.

"Oh, where are you going? I haven't seen that shirt before. It looks nice."

"Really?"

Janus wanted to make a good impression, a better one than at the library. He was determined to not to drip rainwater on any books or within Logan's vicinity. He'd finally decided on a yellow long sleeved shirt and white jeans, but he was so used to wearing dark clothes most of the time that he wasn't sure how he felt about it. But he must have sounded too hopeful because Roman was giving him a funny look. 

"Yes?" He paused. Janus watched him take in the gold watch glinting on Janus' right wrist, his styled hair and the pile of clothes flung across his bed. "Oh, my god. You have a date, don't you?"

Heat flooded Janus' face. "Uh, no."

Roman gasped. "Oh, you do! Who is it? Do I know them? Where are you going? What are they like?"

"Oh my god, get out of here!" Janus started shoving him out the door, but Roman stuck his foot out to keep the door from slamming shut.

"No, wait! I can help!"

"No."

"Aww, come on!"

"No. " 

"Pleasepleaseplease!"

Janus groaned and finally relented. "Fine," he said, opening the door a little wider. "You can help me pick out my shoes."

"Yay!"

Roman asked a million questions about his date, most of which Janus refused to answer. They went through several pairs of shoes until they finally settled on some that matched and didn't feel too over the top.

Janus arrived at Lou Mati's thirty minutes later. He found Logan sitting at the table already and going over the menu. He looked striking in that dark blue sweater Janus liked so much, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his tattoo.

"Hey," Janus said.

Logan looked up. "Ah. Hello."

Janus draped his jacket over his chair and sat down. "Hope you weren't waiting too long."

"Not really. About fifteen minutes."

Janus sputtered. "I—" He checked his watch. "But this was the time we agreed on, wasn't it?"

"Yes. Don't worry about it. I'm always early."

"Oh ... all right."

An awkward silence descended. Logan ducked his head to look at the menu again. Janus drummed his fingers against the table. 

"So," he said. "You look nice."

"Thank you," Logan said politely. "So do you."

"Thanks," Janus said, though wondered if he really meant it. He nodded at the menu. "Find anything you like?"

"We could split a pizza," Logan offered. "That's what this place is known for, isn't it?"

"Yeah, let me see ..."

They decided which toppings they'd like while the restaurant bustled around them. Janus took a long sip of water and silently cursed himself for not picking out something more lowkey. 

A waiter stopped by and lit a tiny candle sitting between them in a glass shaped like flower petals folding into themselves. He took their order and bustled off.

Logan folded his hands over the table as if he were preparing for a business deal. "So," he began.

"So," Janus returned.

"I have a series of questions."

"Okay." Janus chuckled. "Do you have a list or ..."

"What's your last name?"

Oh, wow. Okay. Getting right into it then.

"Moretti."

Logan paused. "That sounds similar to Moriarty."

"It does, doesn't?" Janus cupped the scarred side of his face, the corner of his mouth pulling upwards. "I saw you reading Sherlock Holmes at the library. Are you a fan?"

"Yes. Is it Italian?"

"My last name? It is."

Logan made a small noise of acknowledgement and folded his napkin into squares on the table. 

Janus' smile broadened a little. "You're awfully quiet all of a sudden."

"Apologies. I was thinking."

"About?"

"Nothing. I just ... like it. It suits you."

"Thank you."

Logan nodded. "What are you majoring in?"

"Law."

Logan looked surprised. "Really?"

"Yes. I want to be a prosecutor."

"Interesting. Have you always wanted to be a lawyer?"

"No," Janus said, swirling the ice around in his glass. "When I was a kid, I wanted to be an archeologist. I still have an appreciation for dinosaurs. Reptiles, too."

"I see. What made you decide to go into law school?"

"Because I've always wanted to be a snake."

Logan stared at him.

"A joke," Janus clarified, palms sweating. He took another drink of water and wished it was wine.

"I don't get it."

Yes, Janus could see this was becoming a pattern. "Because lawyers protect their clients interests even if ... nevermind. The answer is I find it interesting, and I think I'd be good at it."

Janus was incredibly good at arguing and proving a point. He also thought law was exciting, especially criminal law. The more noble answer was that some people didn't feel like they had a voice, and Janus wanted to be that voice for them.

The shorter answer was that he liked money.

Logan accepted this with a thoughtful hum. "I see. And what is your favorite animal?"

Janus' golden eye glittered. He set his glass down and folded his arms across the table, leaning forward. "Snakes."

"What's your favorite color?"

"Yellow."

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"No."

"Pets?"

"Remus has a rat—he's my roommate. I want a snake, but rats and snakes, well... They don't go well together, you see."

"Yes, that makes sense. Are your eyes naturally that color or are they contacts?"

"Natural."

"Heterochromia?" Logan's eyes roved Janus' face. "Fascinating."

"Is that your way of saying you think my eyes are pretty?"

"Yes."

Damn. Blunt and un-flusterable, it seemed. Janus would have to work harder. Though, it was quite difficult when Logan's directness made him feel flustered. He coughed. "Uh, thank you."

Logan nodded. "Do you want kids?"

"On the fence about it."

"Are you religious?"

"No."

"Are you allergic to anything?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

"And what's your family like?"

"Okay, are you sure you're not the one interested in law?" A slow smile cut across Janus' face. "I feel like I'm on the stand. My palms are sweating."

Logan blushed. "Ah. Apologies. I didn't mean to interrogate you. It has ... been a while since I have been on a date."

"It's all right. To answer your question, my family consists of me and my mother. My mother left my father when I was a child. He was a drunken asshole, and I haven't seen him since."

"Oh," Logan said. "Wow. I'm sorry to hear that."

Janus shrugged. "It's fine. My mother and I are very close. What about your family?"

"We are also very close. My mother teaches kindergarten and my father is a book editor." Logan reached for his glass. "Ah, and also—I was adopted."

Janus blinked, taken off guard. "Damn. Was being adopted hard for you or ...?"

"Not really. I've known I was adopted since I was five, and both of my parents are very loving people."

"That's good. Do you have any siblings?"

"No. My parents never adopted again, and my birth parents ..." He hesitated. "I have no idea. I suppose it's possible I have siblings through them, but I wouldn't know. It was a closed adoption."

Janus shifted in his seat, unsure of what to say. "Would you want to meet your birth family?"

"I'm not certain."

Janus nodded. This felt like a touchy subject so he decided to move the conversation along.  "You said earlier you were a neuroscience major, right?"

"Ah, yes. I would like to be a neuroscientist."

Janus' forehead wrinkled, trying to follow. "So would that be like ... working on finding the cure to Alzheimer's or something?"

"That could be part of it, yes. I'd essentially be working to develop treatments for a range of neurological issues such as depression or schizophrenia, brain trauma, epilepsy and so forth."

"Holy shit. That's impressive."

Logan smiled a little, and it made Janus' heart do an embarrassing jump in his chest. "Thank you. It will take a while to get there, though. I still have a lot of schooling so ... for now it's just the student library. Do you work anywhere?"

"Part time at the museum."

That got Logan's attention. "You work at a museum? What museum?"

"Just the Starwood History Museum," he said, wishing it was something more impressive. It was a local little museum downtown. They had a few interesting exhibits, but it wasn't like it was The Smithsonian or anything. "I work the front desk and interact with guests sometimes."

But Logan seemed to think it was very impressive. "I know where that is. I hear they have the most completed and best preserved juvenile T-rex skeleton ever discovered, correct? I've been meaning to go there."

"Yes," Janus said, perking up. "We also have a floor dedicated to live animals. Mainly turtles and snakes and that sort of thing. That's my favorite."

"That sounds very interesting. I'd love to visit sometime."

Janus' heart gave a hopeful little tug. "You should. Let me know if you ever want to go, and I can show you around."

"I'd like that."

Janus smiled right as the waiter returned and set their pizza in the middle of the table. 

"Enjoy," he said, and walked off.

Janus realized in that moment that there was no sexy way to eat a slice of double stuffed pizza. Once again, he asked himself why he didn't pick out something more casual like ice cream or coffee.

Logan helped himself to a slice and cut his pizza with a knife and fork. "So," he began, "what do you like to do for fun?"

Janus chewed, thinking about it. "Hmm, let's see. I enjoy true crime podcasts and musicals. I like history and philosophy. I play Among Us, read books, write from time to time ..."

"Oh, you're a writer?" Logan sat up a little straighter. "What do you write?"

Fuck, he wasn't supposed to mention his writing. He didn't share that with anyone—not even Remus. The most recent thing he wrote was a Scooby Doo fanfiction featuring friends to enemies to lovers Daphne and Velma. Velma worked at a coffee shop with Shaggy and tried to solve a series of mysteries happening around their college campus. She fell in love with her roommate, Daphne, only to unmask her as the villain in the end.

"Uh, mystery."

"Oh, I love mysteries. Would you describe your work as a traditional mystery or perhaps gritty noir? Is it hardboiled or is there a private detective?"

Fucking hell.

Janus took a long sip of water to settle his nerves. "Mm, more like ... a light mystery in a coffee shop setting."

"Ah!" Logan snapped his fingers. "Cozy mystery!"

Janus choked on his drink.

"Interesting. Did you know the first full-length cozy mystery novel was written by Agatha Christie?"

"No," he rasped. "I did not know that."

"Yes, it's called Miss Marple. I highly suggest it if you write cozy mysteries. Where do you get your inspiration?"

Janus thought of his secret Archive Of Our Own account featuring anything from an alternate universe to hardcore smut. Sweat prickled the back of his neck.

"I only do it for fun," Janus quickly clarified, his tongue feeling too big for his mouth. "What about you? What do you like to do for fun?"

"Ah. Well I, too, enjoy reading. Mostly mysteries, sci-fi and non-fiction. I can't get into fantasy very much. I like puzzles, poetry, rap music and the occasional video game depending on my mood." Logan cut off a piece of pizza into a perfect square. "Do you like sports?"

Janus snorted. "Oh, yes. Can't think of a better way to spend my time than kicking a ball back and forth."

A pause.

"I'm kidding. I hate sports."

Logan actually looked physically relieved. "God. Me too."

A slow smile spread across Janus' face. "I enjoy dancing though. Does that count?"

"What kind of dancing?"

Remarkably, the rest of dinner went well. Most of Janus' nerves started to fade away the more the conversation went on. He was slowly getting used to the way Logan literally took things, and considered it a success whenever he was able to make Logan smile a little. By the time the date wound down to an end, Janus packed up his leftovers and silently congratulated himself for not dropping any pizza sauce onto his white pants.

After paying and leaving a tip, Logan followed Janus outside. The air was cold and the sky was black and it was ... drizzling.

Janus sucked on his teeth to keep himself from groaning.

Logan, ever the prepared one, popped open his umbrella. "You're dripping again," he observed.

"Sorry," he sighed.

"It's all right. I'm getting used to it." Logan shifted so the umbrella was covering both of their heads. "Which way is your apartment?"

"Oh, you don't have to walk me."

"I insist."

Janus' face flooded with heat. He started walking with Logan in tow. They had to walk closely to each other in order for Logan to cover him, and Janus felt his heart jumping whenever their arms accidentally brushed. He could smell faint traces of Logan's cologne—some kind of frigid, mint scent. Logan was also a whole head taller than him, and he tried not to notice. He hoped Logan couldn't tell that his knees were shaking.

Finally, Janus gestured to the apartment building. "This is me." 

"Ah," Logan said. "So it is. Thank you again for dinner."

"Of course."

Logan lifted his palm, and Janus eagerly shot forward and gave him a high-five, realizing too late that Logan had only meant to wave goodbye. 

Chills erupted down Janus' spine as he felt his soul leave his body. Thank god it was too dark out to make out his searing blush. "I, uh  ... okay. Good night then."

A bemused smile lifted Logan's face. "Goodnight."

✨🌻✨

Logan kicked off his shoes and hung up his coat and umbrella as soon as he got home.

Virgil greeted him at the doorway. "You didn't send me the Bat Signal," he said.

"I did not."

"So it went well, I take it?"

"Yes."

Logan walked into the living room. He heard Virgil pad after him. "Wait, that's it? Just yes? I need more details, L."

"What do you want to know?"

"What is he like, first of all?"

"Sarcastic, witty and wet."

"Wet?"

"Yes." He picked up a trivia book off the coffee table. "He's constantly dripping everywhere."

"Logan, I have no idea what that's supposed to mean." Virgil cuddled their cat, a black one named Spook, into his arms. "Is that a metaphor?"

"No, it is quite literal. He always gets caught in the rain for some reason."

Virgil looked like he didn't know what to say to that, so he moved on. "Well, what do you think? Do you want to see him again?"

"I think I do."

Virgil lifted his eyebrows. "Really?"

"Yes, he's interesting. I want to see where it goes."

"Interesting," Virgil repeated. "Because he gets caught in the rain?"

"No. We have quite a few things in common."

"Cool. So are you going on a second date?"

"Yes, I think I will."

Virgil accepted this with a nod. "So, did you get his last name?"

"Ah, yes. It is Janus Moretti."

"Like the villain in Sherlock?"

"Almost."

Virgil squinted. "That's suspicious."

"Having a last name similar to a literary villain does not make him an actual villain, you realize?"

But Virgil ignored him, already sitting down at the couch and pulling out his laptop. Logan left the room to brush his teeth and put on his pajamas. He made a cup of tea and returned to his seat next to him. "How has your online search been so far?"

"Uneventful," Virgil said. "He's not on social media at all. Doesn't even have a Linkedin."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's like he's a ghost." Virgil glared at his screen. "Suspicious."

"How is not having social media suspicious?"

"Um, because everyone is on social media?"

"Clearly not."

"Okay, well he's a bad example, I'll give you that, but why doesn't he have anything? There must be something he is hiding."

"Or he has better things to do than snap pictures of his food on Instagram. I'm hardly on social media myself."

"Yeah, but you at least post sometimes, " Virgil said.

Logan shrugged. Spook crawled into his lap and curled up for a snooze. He absentmindedly rubbed the cat behind the ears while pulling up Janus' contact number on his phone.

Virgil raised his eyebrows. "You gonna text him?"

"Yes ... I think I'm going to ask for a second date. You said coffee was ideal, yes?"

"Yeah, I think that's good. Need help with the message?"

"Please, Virgil," Logan said, already typing with one hand. "I know how to craft a message."

✨🌻✨

Janus was sprawled out on the couch in the living room with one arm slung over his face, trying to block that humiliating high-five out of his mind. Meanwhile, Roman and Remus sat nearby on the floor, their heads pressed close together over Remus' phone, which displayed Logan's Instagram account. It was mostly pictures of recommended books, sprinkled in with occasional pictures of his friends and family. There were also many pictures of a black cat and only three selfies.

"Wow," Roman said. "This guy looks like he has a stick up his ass."

Remus tossed his hands up into the air. "That's what I said!"

Janus sat up and swung a throw pillow over both of their heads. "Both of you quit bad mouthing my crush!"

Roman giggled. "Sorry. He is cute though! In like a ... stiff, strict librarian kind of way."

"That's Janus' type," Remus said, shoving a handful of crunchy Doritos into his mouth. "Stiff."

That remark earned another swat of the throw pillow. "Shut up."

Remus laughed again. His pet rat, a soft gray one named Fester, climbed up his arm to perch on his shoulder. He turned his head to rub noses with him.

"Do you want to see him again?" Roman asked.

Of course he did, but Janus tried to play it cool. "Sure."

"Of course he does," Remus said. Fester crawled onto his head and started cleaning its whiskers. "He's got a big, fat juicy crush."

"I do not!"

"Liar."

Janus rolled his eyes. "I'm going to bed."

"You're not interested in our Instagram journey?" Roman asked.

"You mean your online stalking ? Hard pass."

"He's only saying that because he's already done it," Remus said.

Janus sputtered. "I have not!"

"He's probably going to go do it in private now."

He was. "I am not!"

"He's got it bad," Remus told his brother. "You should have seen him at the library."

"Shut up," Janus said. "I do not have it bad. My feelings for Logan are there but I assure you, I have a handle on it. I am not over my head. Everything is fine. Completely under control."

Right then, Janus' phone dinged on the coffee table. He lunged for it.

"Right," Remus said mildly. "Completely under control."

Janus ignored him and brought his phone up to his face. It was a text from Logan. He immediately tapped to open it.

Salutations, Janus. This is Logan. Thank you again for tonight, the pizza and conversation was quite enjoyable. Would you like to get coffee next week?

The twins moved to sit on either side of Janus on the couch. They looked over his shoulder to peer at the message.

"Salutations?" Roman repeated, confused.

"Ugh!" Remus cried. "Coffee. How boring."

"That's not boring! That's fantastic!" Roman said, beaming. "He wants to see you again! That means he must like you."

"I suppose you're right." Janus tried to keep his voice casual, but a giddy kind of joy was spreading inside of his chest. He quickly tried to stuff it down—to be cool. He thought about it more. "Though, maybe I should suggest for us to do something afterwards? Coffee might be short."

"True," Roman said, thinking about it. "What are some things he's into?"

"Books, puzzles, mysteries ..."

Roman lit up. "I have an idea!"

"Oh no," Janus said.

"Hear me out."

"That has not gone well for me in the past."

"No, really! It's the perfect plan! You said he likes puzzles so you should take him to an Escape Room! Those are like puzzles, right?"

Janus blinked. "Roman," he said, impressed. "That's ... actually a very good idea."

He smiled, smug. "I know."

Janus started texting him back. Hello, Logan. I would love coffee. I also had an idea ...