[Roman goes looking for an escape in a fantasy and is slapped with a heartwarming reality by Janus.]
"I need you to tell me I'm a good person."
What?
Janus can not believe his ears. Out of all people, Roman? Has come to the living room in the mind palace to ask Janus? To tell Roman that he's a good person?
Then it clicks.
Oh, no.
"You are expecting me to lie to you about whether or not you are a good person, aren't you?"
Roman looks up at him with a broken gaze, focusing on his nose rather than his eyes.
"You tell lies the most convincing as truth," Roman shrugs, trying to act nonchalant. He then adds, quietly while staring between his own feet, "...I need to live in the fairytale that I'm a good person for a while."
Janus is absolutely floored. Did their last argument really affect him that much? He had never meant to scar Roman. He was only offended at Roman's reaction to his name, and wanted to return the offense.
"Roman..." Janus pauses, and then sighs. "I can't tell you that as a lie."
Roman's gaze is a mixture of hurt and confusion. "...what?"
"I cannot lie to you that you are a good person." Janus explains, and before Roman's heart can break anymore than it had, he adds, "I can't claim that phrase as a lie when it's the truth."
There is a pause, and then, much to Janus' surprise, Roman starts laughing.
"You know you're very clever," Roman says between chuckles. "I imagine you have to sneak around your unintentional lying some how."
He doesn't believe me, does he?
Janus holds the center of his brows as he sighs. "Roman. I-you know what," he stands up straight (as he can as a gay snek). Roman is startled out of his laughter at Janus' seriousness. "Come with me."
Janus starts toward the hallway, knowing the Roman's curiosity will force him to follow. Sure enough, he hears footsteps behind him that were so light, they would put Virgil to shame.
Where has Roman's confident march gone?
After a few turns, they have reached a yellow door. And instead of going inside, Janus stands in front of the door and motions for Roman to stop walking.
"As you know, every Sides' room has a specific power. Virgil's increases anxiety, Patton's increases nostalgia. Some Sides' can force control over their room or can bypass certain aspects. Patton has an easier time leaving his room than others. Virgil is used to the constant amplified anxiety that it has almost become his normal."
Which isn't very healthy, but what can you do as the literal embodiment of over-cautiousness?
"In my room, you can only speak in lies. If you are not used to its power you can only speak in direct lies. If you are used to it, you can speak in other forms, such as lies of omission, or even half-truths," Janus sighs with a slight smile. "Remus likes to come to my room to play around with whatever nonsense it will make him say. Logan will come in every once in a while to practice his mental will of overcoming the power of the room. I'd say that Logan can speak more truths than I in there, but only because I rarely speak in my room."
Roman takes it all in. "Okay, but why are you telling me this?"
"I am going to tell you whether or not you are a good person using only complete lies," Janus states. His voice showing no signs of a joke. "No room for lies of omission or half-truths. Just what I sincerely believe."
Roman gives him a sceptical look. "How can I trust that you are telling the truth right now?"
Janus opens the door to his room and motions for Roman to go inside. He follows Roman into the room and shuts the door softly.
"Is Crofter's Logan's favorite jelly brand?" Janus asks with a slight smirk.
Roman laughs. "Seriously? That's how you're proving it?"
Janus just gives him a look.
Roman rolls his eyes. "Ugh. No."
Roman slaps his hand over his mouth, looking shocked.
"No. He absolutely hates Crofter's."
Roman proceeds to simply stand there, hand over his mouth, probably thinking: What the heckity heck, five abs and one pec?
"Now, will you ask me that question you asked me earlier?" Janus asks, hiding a fit of giggles at Roman's surprise.
Though looking like he would rather say anything but that question, Roman timidly asks, "Am I a good person?"
Janus smiles. "No. You are not a good person."
Roman shouts in outrage. "Why do you believe that? I did not force Thomas to think that he was still in love with his ex! I don't constantly make fun of Logan and Virgil! I don't constantly condescend Patton! I did not make fun of your name when you were being vulnerable! I don't treat Remus as my evil alter ego! Why, in your right mind, would you ever believe that I am a good person?"
Janus starts to storm through the door. "Because!" Janus makes it through the door, "You are constantly pushing Thomas to achieve his dreams despite his insecurities' best efforts," a few extra arms pop out to add to Janus' points. "You are apologizing every time you realize a nickname was a little too mean! Yes! You and Remus do not have the best relationship, but you show a longing for a better one! Yes! You absolutely destroyed me when I was trying to prove my wish to help Thomas by being vulnerable!" Roman sucks in a pained breath at that statement.
Janus lowers his voice and softens his tone. "But here you are, in so much pain from the remorse you feel."
Roman hangs his head. He's about to speak when Janus pipes up.
"Leave my room. It will make whatever you are about to say confusing."
Roman slowly does as Janus requests, and then just as quietly adds, "But how many times will I get a do-over when my pride gets in the way? How long before you give up on me and I become what I consider a 'dark side' to you all?"
Janus almost wants to cry. He slowly makes his way over to Roman and gently lifts his chin to catch Roman's eyes.
"You will only ever stop getting do-overs," Janus quietly says, maintaining eye contact with a kind gaze and just as gentle touch, "when you stop making progress."
Roman's eyes show confusion. He attempts to speak, but Janus cuts him off.
"You are a personality trait of a human being. You are meant to make mistakes. You are meant to be imperfect," Roman's eyes start to well-up, "You are meant to have to try again. It is only fair that we give you that new chance when you've made an attempt at progress."
Roman's tears spill over. His hand is on its way to rub away the tears when he's pulled into an embrace.
"And just remember: none of us are perfect. We may be trying to be, and it may seem that we are doing better than you, but we are in the same ocean as you trying to stay afloat. We just want you to accept our help and love on the boat instead of trying to brave to waters alone."
The dam breaks. Roman clings to Janus' capelet as he sobs, knees buckling. Janus sinks to the floor with him. Janus says nothing, but stays in silent support and comfort. It does more than the words ever could.
And when the tears have stopped and Roman breathes softly and deeply enough to be assumed asleep, Janus just barely catches his words, causing his breath to hitch slightly.
"I love you too, Janus."