Chapter Text

True to his word, Janus was up just after dawn the morning of the bake sale, touching up decorations and packaging each one to perfection.

“Eat your heart out, Mary Berry,” he said, referencing The Great British Baking Show judge, as he tied up an elaborate bow. Smirking, Janus looked over his handy work before slipping his fingers into his mouth to let out a piercing whistle. The sound of Virgil’s Converse clad feet squeaking their way down the hallway let him know of his younger brother’s presence.

“Hey, Vi. Help me get these to the car.”

The teenager in question let out a long-suffering sigh but in the end, helped Janus until the job was done.

“Tutoring starts today, doesn’t it?” Janus asked, leaning against the car. He tried his best to hold back his smirks but it was proving to be a losing battle. Virgil didn’t notice though, too busy looking down at the ground as he answered.

“Uh-huh.” The older man just barely held back a snort and cleared his throat.

“Well, how about this…” He pulled out his wallet and took out two twenties, passing them to Virgil. “I’ll be at the bake sale for hours and who knows what I’ll want to do after… get you and… whatshisface?”

“Logan,” Virgil supplied on cue. Janus smirked but said nothing, instead continuing.

“Right. Go ahead and get you and Logan some pizza. Lord knows the boy is gonna need it after having to tutor you.” He stuck out his tongue and that plus his tone told Virgil he was only teasing. The teen rubbed his arm as he took the money.

“Thanks, dude.”

“No problem, Vi. Now, Logan should almost be here, well look at that… speak of the devil!”

Virgil’s face seemed to go half white, half red in the next few seconds. Janus would have been worried but a moment later Virgil was suddenly standing over by Logan, taking his hand and practically dragging the poor boy down the step stone path, quite obviously avoiding the driveway at all costs.

“Thanks for the pizza money, bro! Good luck with the bake sale! You show those rich moms and dads!”

Janus rolled his eyes, smiling fondly. Getting into the car, he gave the direction his little brother and Logan had taken one last glance with a little laugh.

“Sorry, you had to miss it, mom and dad.”

With a bittersweet sigh, Janus left the driveway and headed in the direction of the venue.

Janus pulled into a parking spot in the very back of the church’s main parking lot, frowning heavily. He had driven around three full times before giving up and heading for the last row. He had just been about to give up and head for the overflow lot when the last spot appeared.

“Thank God!” Janus said, a little sarcastically. Only a little. He was very appreciative that he did not have to go to the overflow.

Turning off his car, Janus got out and headed around to the back of the vehicle. He was grateful that he had listened when Virgil suggested he bring a crate to carry everything. Making a mental note to thank Virgil, Janus grabbed his things, locked up the car, and headed up the parking lot toward the front door of the church.

Janus looked around curiously as he crossed the threshold of the church entrance, taking in all the adults of various ages. There were even a few children rushing around, some getting yelled at for running. Janus couldn’t help but sigh in sympathy at that. He never had to deal with that with Virgil because their parents had been around for that age but still. He remembered Virgil getting told off for things like that.

Well, not that exactly. Virgil had always been a quiet kid and didn’t like being in the spotlight. He would still walk off, however, trying to find a quieter place to chill. Their mom had freaked out the first several times it happened but they all came to realize that Virgil typically could be found in the closest somewhat quiet place.

He snorted softly and shook his head, seeking out the person in charge of this whole event. It didn’t take long to find him, his two-toned gaze falling on a man who didn’t look too much older than himself, if older at all. Eyes dropping to his converse covered with little cartoon kitties, Janus looked upward taking in his khaki pants, bright blue button-down shirt with kitties that looked not unlike the ones on his shoes. If that was not enough, the man had a light tan what-Janus-assumed-was-a-sweater tied around his neck like a scarf. Circular, gold-rimmed glasses completed the look.

What a doofus, Janus thought to himself as he rolled his eyes. Stealing himself, Janus made his way in his direction, stopping just behind an older lady who was currently in conversation with him. Janus looked around, trying his best to look like he was not eavesdropping… which he totally was, but no one else needed to know that.

Apparently, Miss Whines-A-Lot did not like the booth that was given to her and wanted a better space. He couldn’t hear the man’s answer because he was not close enough and did not want to make it obvious that he was listening in. Whatever the man had said, it appeared to have worked. Janus frowned as he watched the woman walk off, making her way to the spot she had been given. She didn’t appear to be packing up or moving so it seemed that this man, whoever he was, had talked her into staying where she was. Suddenly, he wished he could have heard just what it was that made a woman like that behave.

“Hey there! How can I help you?”

Janus blinked, turning back to the man. The question on his tongue slipped away the moment he looked the man’s way.

“Uh… oh, hi.”

Patton smiled brightly.

“Hi there.”

Janus couldn’t really blame his brain for its sudden inability to focus. The man standing before him was—in one word—beautiful. Bright eyes that were like liquid gold, freckle bursts all over his face—and, Janus was willing to bet, everywhere else—and tousled sun-kissed blond curls.

“Uh… hi.” He cleared his throat and tried to ignore the fact that he had just said hi twice. Speaking quickly before the other could grow tired of having to greet him a fourth time, Janus forced a winning smile. “So I’m the newbie, Janus Noirblanc.”

“Oooh, Mr. Fancyname!”

Janus forced a nervous laugh. “Yep… that’s me. Anyway, where should I set up my stuff.”

He raised up his crate as if to prove their existence. Patton glanced at the box then up at Janus again, smiling brightly.

“Right! I’d be happy to show you the ropes,” the man said, the smile growing. Janus stared for a few moments certain that if he watched for a few moments the smile would prove ingenuine. A few moments passed, however, and the man’s smile didn’t waver until the end but only for a concerned frown to slip over his lips.

“You okay there, Janus?”

Janus felt a sudden rush of a feeling he couldn’t quite place at hearing his name spoken by the other man’s voice.

“Y-yeah. Yeah, of course. I just realized, however, that you never introduced yourself. That is still a commonly practiced social tradition, correct?”

Patton, who looked a little confused at the words, seemed to figure out what it was Janus was saying.

“Oh, how silly of me. Patton Hart! I’m so happy to meet you, Janus Noirblanc.”

A hand was offered to Janus, who took it, shaking it firmly as he held the other’s gaze with an appeased smile.

“Likewise, Patton Hart.”

The man smiled and nodded for Janus to follow him which the young man did. If Janus had allowed his eyes to rake over the other’s backside before looking up once more… well, no one else needed to know.

They reached an almost bare table that had only a single red cloth.

“Alright. This half,” he pointed to the right half of the table. “This will be your half. Your table buddy will be along shortly.”

Janus flashed a warm, playful grin before he could help himself. “I only accept a table ‘buddy’ if it’s you.”

Well, that was a little flirty, Jan. Geez.

The man, however, did not react in a way Janus had expected. First, he frowned. No, no. Not a frown. A pout. He pouted. Second, he sighed as if put out. Janus raised a brow.

“Well, okay yeah,” the man said, nodding. Janus was confused. Luckily, Patton continued. “It was supposed to be a little fun surprise. A little joke. But yeah, I’ll be your table buddy for this bake sale! The sale always starts at my table first and works its way down. All places get plenty of foot traffic but tables in this hall are coveted due to being where the people enter.”

Janus blinked at all the information before smiling in a grateful manner.

“Well, how kind of you, Patton. Thank you.”

Patton looked quite mollified, smiling warmly.

“Of course! Anything for our members, especially the newbies.” He laughed softly before moving closer. “Well, I leave you to set up. Me and my boys will be along soon with our goods and then it’ll be time to open the doors.”

Janus was a little mystified, he had to admit. Here was this man who was every bit a rich parent as any of the rest but he actually sounded and felt genuine. He hadn’t thought such a combo could exist in a single person.

“Okay, yeah. See you.”

He watched the man walk off before turning his attention to setting up his half of the table. He then took his chair, settling back onto it to play on his phone as he waited for the sale to start.

“So why is the PTA Bake Sale, which I presume raises money for the school, in a church?”

He had stopped playing his game in favor of chatting with Patton the moment the PTA leader arrived with three large crates of baked goods. They were even in warming bags, which were strapped to the shoulders of Patton and two teenage boys. He gave a tiny start as he realized the two were twins. In his defense, the twins only proved to be identical when standing next to one another. With different hair styles, different fashion choices, and even different states of facial hair (one mustached and one baby butt smooth)—hell, there was even a different sort of glint in each of their eyes, which mostly matched though the one with a skinny-stache’s brown eyes were a shade lighter while the typical rich boy looking twin’s eyes were slightly more red than brown.

Patton glanced at him as if confused for a moment. It seemed to dawn on him as that being weird but Janus guessed they’d been having it there for years now. Perhaps the reason had been lost. Realization sparked in those light honey eyes, however, and Janus—always thirsty for knowledge of any kind—leaned forward, in the other’s direction.

“Oh! Well, the PTA’s of the different schools had been having their own in the schools but when some parents have multiple kids and there’s only so many weekends in a school year… and people who come to these won’t want to go to multiple schools in one day, or even so closely together. That, plus the fact that there is more space and we can do so much more with a bigger event…”

He waved his hand out at the church hallway as if the area could finish the statement for itself. Honestly though, it really did. That was some surprisingly intelligent and logical thinking. More than what he would expect from a bunch of rich parents.

Huh. I get the feeling that Patton is the reason behind it. If so, thank God for the people who put him in the position. Maybe some real shit will get done.

“That’s smart. Good for you.” Janus meant it too. He didn’t give out praise lightly. That just wasn’t his style.

Patton blushed but beamed.

“Thank you! I do sometimes worry that perhaps some of the parents weren’t happy with the change—”

“They are idiots. This will do so much better than separate ones ever will and if they want to argue about it well… they’re probably flat earthers and believe that the moon landing was faked. That is to say, who cares what they think because they obviously know nothing?”

Patton blushed and hesitated. Perhaps he thought he should defend the other parents from Janus, which would be understandable considering Janus’s newbie status. The man glanced at the table next to Janus and seemed to be waiting, considering his response before continuing. After a bit of time, he glanced at Janus once more and nodded. There was agreement in his gaze and it was evident that even if he would not verbalize it, Patton knew well that many of the parents were, in fact, idiots.

“Anyway. We moved the bake sales to this venue… how long ago now, Roman?”

Roman was apparently one of the twins because the more put together one now stepped forward a half step to respond.

“I’m pretty sure it’s been three years now. Four years ago, you were named PTA chairman. The changes to the bake sale were about a year after that.”

“I’d normally disagree with everything that my younger twin has said but you’re sexy and I wouldn’t want to lead you astray…”

Janus frowned deeply at that but said nothing, his eyes on their… father? He wasn’t sure this man could be their father. He did not look old enough to have teenage sons their age. Still, Patton had mentioned that he and his boys would be along. Maybe he just ages really well? Or maybe… maybe he adopted them?

He supposed either option was as viable as the other and decided not to dwell too much on it. Especially not since this adorable man was talking once more.

“Okay, so three years or so,” Patton reiterated with a sweet smile. Janus nodded.

“Yeah, then. That just solidifies the evidence that those naysayers are brainless simpletons.”

The two twins laughed. The one with the mustache snickered while his brother chuckled a light, airy laugh. It had him wondering what Patton’s laugh sounded like. He did hope he would get to hear it soon. Unfortunately, that comment would not get the laugh he had desired.

“Boys… be nice.” Patton frowned at Janus.

“I do get where you are coming from, but I will have to ask you to refrain from any more such comments.”

Janus merely smirked but nodded in agreement. He would behave.

“My deepest apologies.” He fell silent as he leaned back in his chair and lifted his phone in order to appear as if he were playing on it. In reality, however, he was actually watching Patton and the twin boys as they set up their half of the table. Five pies and seven different plates of cookies—all different flavors! Sure, Janus had done four pies but he’d only gotten two different kinds of cookies.

He supposed that it made sense. Patton had two older boys. Perhaps one or both were into this as much as Patton was—

“Okaaaay, dad!”

Well, that answers the dad question.

“Yeah, pops! You said if we helped you bring the food in we could take the car till you’re done!”

Patton glanced at Janus with a what can you do smile before letting out a long-suffering sigh.

“I see how it is. Don’t want to help dear ol’ dad with the bake sale. Fine, fine. Go on.”

Patton then sat in his chair and smiled up at the twins.

“Dad… you haven’t given us the key!”

A playful little grin and a wicked glean in his eyes had Janus watching more closely.

“Yeah I did!”

For a moment, the more put together one looked a little confused before the mustached one snorted.

“Dad!” Put-together son cried. Obviously, his dad and twin brother teasing him was a common occurrence. “Come on…”

“Roman, stop pouting. There we go… now what are the magic words?”

“Please!” The twins said in unison. Patton glanced at Janus and winked before regarding the twins. Janus watched as Patton took his keys from his pocket and tossed them at the more put-together one—Roman. He would never voice his thoughts but he knew that if he had been in the same position as Patton, he would have given the keys to the more put-together one as well. That one with the mustache looked a little deranged from time to time.

Janus watched as the twins left. He was both pleased and annoyed. On one hand, the twins' conversation with their father offered up a lot of invaluable information. On the other hand, he now had no idea how Patton had managed to get all those goods baked if he hadn’t had his twins help. Still, he didn’t know for sure that neither of the twins had helped. They could love baking but hate the sale aspect of the event for all Janus knew. As he was not a man to take knowledge as truth blindly, Janus decided to ask.

“So which of your boys helped you bake all of that?”

Patton looked confused for a few moments. Suddenly, clarity shone in his eyes and he shook his head.

“I wish one of them was into baking! Neither of them would be caught dead in the kitchen and frankly I worry about them any time they are. Of course, I’ve taught them the basics of cooking and all that but simple is all they would let me teach them and I was happy to give them that much. They can at least cook for themselves when they go off to college or wherever life takes them.”

Janus nodded, keeping his expression friendly but neutral. At least until he gathered the information he needed.

“Then your wife or husband, perhaps?”

“No husband,” Patton said with a smile and a shrug. “I baked this all myself. I’d say unfortunately but really, I don’t mind. Baking is always so calm and soothing to me.”

Janus nodded. Honestly, he felt the same. “Me too.”

Unfortunately, as he had feared, the other’s confirmation that he had indeed baked all of that on his own had Janus feeling a rush of competitive energy.

Oh dear. I can feel myself rising to the challenge already.

Janus stood, slipping his phone into his back pocket as he walked behind Patton in order to move around to the other side of the table. Taking a look at each desert, Janus begrudgingly accepted that they appeared appetizing. He couldn’t know for sure until he—

“Wanna try a piece?”

Patton had caught him eyeing the cherry cobbler and was watching him earnestly. Janus nodded before he could think it through and suddenly Patton was moving. A few seconds later, he was urged back into his seat and a few moments later, Patton was pushing a small plate with a sizable piece of cobbler in the middle. A plastic fork followed and Janus was quite aware of Patton’s eyes on him as he straightened, lifted the pie, took a decent size piece and put it into his mouth.

Immediately it was clear that Patton was a good baker. No, not merely good. He was fucking amazing.

“Damn, this is good.”

Patton beamed.

Janus ignored the sudden flutter in his chest. He couldn’t afford the attraction and interest he felt when Patton was quite obviously his rival.

Yet, he smiled in a playful way.

“Want a taste of any of mine?”

Patton nodded eagerly.

“Chocolate chip cookie, please. Can’t go wrong with the classics.”

Janus was likely to agree but he didn’t want to go giving any damning intel against himself to his brand new rival.

“Coming right up,” he said as he reached into his own crate to get his small paper plates. Opening the clear wrap, Janus got a cookie and, after slight deliberation, grabbed another. Passing the cookies to Patton, he couldn’t help but return the smile the man sent his way. He watched as Patton tried the first, then inhaled it, and proceeded to inhale the second right after.

“Yummy! The only thing that would have made them better—” Janus tensed, gaze shadowing. “—is if either of us had any milk!”

Janus relaxed and laughed softly which had Patton laughing. Falling into a companionable silence, the two finished eating. The moment Janus managed to swipe the last bit of fruit filling onto his fork and then into his mouth, Patton left him and moved toward the middle of the room. He called for quiet and Janus, without thinking, slipped two fingers into his mouth to let out a sharp whistle.

Surprise was on Patton’s face at first—no doubt from the suddenness of the sound—but soon gratitude passed between them.

“Thank you all for coming to this thing!” He said, pausing to allow other people to comment.

“Not like we have a choice…” the lady two seats down on the table next to theirs commented. Janus rounded on her, glaring daggers. She wasn’t looking his way but Janus continued to glare daggers into the side of her head for a few more moments. It made him feel better, anyway. Sticking up for his new… rival? Flirt rival? Flirt friend? Future boyfriend? Well, whatever Patton was or became to him didn’t matter so much as the fact that whoever he was or whatever he became to him, Janus had supported him. That was what rival-flirt-friend-future-boyfriend’s were for, right? Right.

Patton continued to talk, thanking them for coming and being so supportive. He even eyed Ms. Snoot while he said it with such a warm, content smile.

Oooh, I like him, Janus decided. Of course, he had already decided that before, but that moment was when it truly solidified.

Patton then advised he was going to open the doors, wished them all a good sale, stopped by—presumably—every table, and finally, returned to Janus.

“I’ll be back. Don’t let anyone sneak a piece. You look at me like that now, but just you wait… they’ll try it.”

Patton dashed off to the doors across the way and unlocked the middle set of doors which had the signs posted on the outside. A few moments later, Patton had returned.

“Ready to sell like crazy, table buddy?”

Janus smirked. “I was born ready, Patton.”