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“I– I really have to go, you know… Everyone must be worried about where I am.” Patton drew circles around the top of his mug with his finger.
“But look outside, you really think you can go in these conditions?” Janus gestured to the snow-covered windows.
It was Christmas Eve. With all the magic and sweetness of the season, Patton decided to step out of his comfort zone and visited Janus, briefly, he told himself. He was going to visit him for a few minutes, then go back to the house with everyone.
That's what he told himself.
Yet, when a snow storm hit the outside of the house, he didn't seem too bothered to go home.
“Virgil must be so worried,” he said, hesitantly, “you know him.”
“Darling, he'll be fine.” Janus set down his glass on the side table, then ventured into the kitchen.
Patton took a seat on the couch, mug close to his mouth, blowing at his hot cocoa. “I really have to go.” His actions contradicted his words.
He looked outside the window, the snow storm was still on full blast. It would be dangerous, foolish, even, to go outside as unprotected as he was with a weather like that. The only thing that could keep him warm was his scarf, which wasn't exactly very good at it when it's literally snowing.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize when Janus had returned to the living room from the kitchen and was now walking up to him with a plate and another glass.
“I have something for you.” He set down the plate, which had cookies on it. “Might make you think a little.”
“Oh,” Patton chuckled, “very nice of you.”
He traded the mug he previously held in his hands for the glass, and took a sip of it.
Only to immediately spit it out.
“What did you put in this?” He said, grimacing.
“It's wine.” Janus said like it was obvious. “Can't you stay for a bit more?” He returned to the subject at hand.
“Roman is probably pacing the floor, wondering what happened to me.” He said, half-heartedly.
“It's very cold outside, Patton, wait a little more.” He kept pushing, knowing what Patton really wanted. “What's the matter in staying?”
“I have to go help everyone, what if they burn the house down? You never know.” Again, his actions betrayed him. He remained seated.
Janus took a seat beside him, body slightly turned to him.
Patton chuckled, he didn't know if it was a nervous one or if it had another meaning he refused to acknowledge.
To mask his nervousness, he decided to taste the cookies. He’d been interrupted in tasting what Janus had brought by the man himself, so he never got to eat one of them.
He took a bite. “These are,” he swallows, “so good!”
“So you're staying, then?” He repeated the question.
“... No, no!” He thought about it for half a second too long, and Janus noticed.
He moved closer to him. Patton “tried” to fight back, pushing slightly, not really meaning it. Janus saw right through him, and it was obvious, he was smiling and laughing as he did so, though he was trying to seem tough.
He carefully grabbed one of the cookies and hand fed it to Patton. The moment the sweet chocolate hit his palate, his nervous, almost blushing face turned upside down to a smile.
Janus playfully moved closer to his face, biting down the other end of the cookie.
The sound of the snow hitting the roof filled their ears. It was like time had stopped, yet time felt twice as fast. They were frozen in place, making eye contact. They were dangerously close.
Maybe the wine had really gotten to him.
Patton bit the cookie even further, and brushed lips with Janus. It was for a split second, it wasn't an accident, and they both knew that.
Patton pulled away. “I– I have to go.”
“Darling,” he looked at him, and moved one strand of his hair behind his ear, “it's cold outside.” He said, sweet and low.
Patton looked out the window, smile softening. “It is.”
“Maybe it's not so bad if I stay.”