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It was movie night in the mindscape and to everyone's luck it was Remus' turn to pick the movie. "Now guys I've created an extra special film for us all to watch tonight~" Remus excitedly summoned a CD and put it in the DVD player. "Oh come on this isn't even fair! I bet you just rigged the chart and it's actually my turn!" Roman complained crossing his arms. "Roman your turn was literally last week. I'd rather watch whatever sick twisted horror movie Remus made instead of rewatching the same 119 Disney movies again." Virgil rolled his eyes. "Wow, that's rich coming from 'Gerard Gay for Duke of Disasters'. I smell an obvious biased." Roman retorted. "What you're smelling is your own bull-" "Now kiddos let's not argue. I know it's Remus' turn, but I think a light hearted movie would be a great idea for tonight." Patton said trying to ease the tension and hide his nervousness.
Patton was never a fan of horror movies. They always made him uneasy and he never understood why Remus and Virgil loved them so much but he always tried his best to support their interests. Tonight was different. It was a full moon on Friday the 13th and Patton was really not up for anything scary. "See, Patton agrees with me and he's the one who started the whole 'turns chart' in the first place so I say we change the movie!" Roman protested. "Yeah because Daddy has definitely actively said his favorite movie is 'Carrie'. Keep complaining Romano and instead of a horror movie it's gonna be a porno." Remus cackled flopping down on the couch and pressed play on the remote and held Virgil close in his lap. Roman grimace in disgust at the threat and immediately shut up and watched the movie.
Not even 5 minutes into the film there were screams and bloody murder and various disturbing imagery popping up on the screen. Patton watched horrified by it all and was too traumatized to look away from the screen. His husband on the other hand was watching boredly and unfazed by the film. Janus was used to this kind of stuff and has seen far worse from Remus considering he's hung out with him for so many years. Roman watched shocked and disgusted while his twin cackled holding his smirking emo boyfriend closer. This was only just the beginning. The Prince and the Father Figure were sure in for a ride for what the Duke had in store with his creative abilities.
After what felt like an eternity, the movie soon later finally came to an end and everyone said their goodnights and went to bed. Patton however had no plans on going to sleep tonight. The poor man was still slightly shaking in fear as he got in the covers and laid down next to his beloved. "Goodnight Darling." Janus yawned getting comfortable. "G-Goodnight Jan." Patton replied hoping the tired side didn't sense his fear. And just like that Janus turned off the lamp and went to sleep. Patton silently took a deep breath in and out to try to calm his nerves.
It's okay Patton it's just a movie nothing is going to get you you're okay. Just think happy thoughts and all the things that you love. Puppies... Kittens... Rainbows... Janus...
Patton slowly started drifting off to sleep and closed his eyes and finally had a moment of peace. That peace was short lived until various gruesome scenes from the movie started popping up and he immediately opened them back up again shaking and breathing heavily. His heart beated faster as he looked around the room and the shadows on the wall made the situation even worse. The faint screams in his head became louder and louder and he gripped the blankets tighter around him and squeezed his eyes shut hoping it all would just end.
Patton...
Stop!
Patton...
Go away!
"Patton!"
Patton jumped and opened his eyes again when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He quickly turned around and saw that the lamp was back on and a concerned look on his husband's face. "Oh h-hey Jan I'm sorry I woke you up dear. Go back to bed everything's fine." Patton said feeling bad for waking up the half serpentine side. "Patton I literally felt you shaking and heard you mumbling to yourself." The deceitful side gave him a look. "Janny I promise you I'm okay I was just really cold. Please go back to bed." Patton pleaded really wanting the interrogation to end and for Janus to just go back to sleep and forget about anything happening. In truth the moral side didn't want to be seen as a coward for being scared of something as little as a movie in front of the man he loved. He knew Janus loved him but Patton just couldn't bear the embarrassing thought of Jan making fun of him for something so ridiculous. Janus sensed the obvious lie and noticed Patton's eagerness of wanting him to go back to sleep. He stared at him a little longer and started realizing the problem. "This is about the movie... Isn't it?"
Patton hesitated and sighed, shamefully nodding his head. "Come here." Janus pulled Patton closer to him and had him lay on top of his chest. He started running his gloved fingers through Morality's hair and rubbed his back to help soothe him. Patton leaned in the touch and slowly started to relax. "Now Darling would you mind telling me honestly about everything that's been bothering you tonight and why you were so eager to not tell me?" Janus asked still comforting him. He knew the exact answer to his own question but he wanted to hear Patton say it. He knew the man still had a problem with bottling up his emotions and Janus made it his goal to help him break out of that. He needed the Froggy side to be more open and honest with not just Thomas and everyone else, but with himself as an emotional side. Patton sighed knowing there was no point in lying when Janus can easily see right through him.
Just rip the bandaid off Patton...
"Everything about the movie scared me to the point where I can't sleep. I know the movie's fake but I still found it scary and..." Patton trailed off. "And?" Janus waited patiently for him to finish. "A-And I didn't wanna tell you because I was also afraid that you would make fun of me and see me as a coward for being scared of something so stupid and childish..." Patton admitted looking away ashamed. Janus froze and looked at him surprised. He knew there was something Patton was hiding from him but he didn't expect that. "Patton look at me." Janus lifted Patton's chin up to make him look him in the eyes. "You will never and I mean ever be seen as a coward to me no matter how stupid or childish you may think your fear is. I didn't marry you to freely make fun of you, I married you because I love you. Your feelings matter just as much as all of ours and you even telling me all of this is a brave thing in itself. Hell, even you just tolerating Remus' nonsense and sitting through the whole film without walking away shows that you are brave."
Tears of joy started running down Patton's face. Janus always had a way with words whenever they were alone together. He never liked showing that side of himself infront of the others but with Patton it was the only truths he loved saying. Janus smiled and wiped Patton's tears away. "It's okay to feel sad, happy, scared, angry, or feel nothing at all. You matter." He gave Patton a soft kiss on the lips and Patton happily reciprocated. They slowly pulled away and rested their foreheads on each other. "Thank you." Patton sniffled hugging him tightly. "You're welcome." Janus held him closer.
Patton then started to yawn.
"Finally sleepy?"
"Mmhm" He sleepily nuzzled Jan's chest. Janus smiled and kissed the top of his head. "Get some rest because we have a long day of self-care and gaming tomorrow." Patton giggled. "Okay. Night Jan." "Goodnight Patton." The half serpentine side turned off the lamp and instantly fell back asleep holding the cat onesied man in his arms. Patton smiled finally falling asleep peacefully only hearing the sound of Janus' heartbeat and loving his warmth. Who knew an unlucky day would be Patton's second luckiest night.
