Chapter Text
Considering everything, Janus really didn't mind this particular factory going up in flames, he'd just heavily prefer that he wasn't in the building when it did.
The new wonderboy had other plans, apparently.
Crimson Void, as the broadcasts seemed to call him, was the newest entree of a long list of previous heroes who had tried to 'stop his nefarious deeds' as it were. Most seemed to give up and retire, or maybe give into their injuries. He didn't know or really care, this was just another nuisance that will be crossed off the list soon enough.
He'd give it to him though, this one knew how to fight. Most did, some clearly thought that their powers alone with no training would make them heroes. This man was one of the smarter ones, not only was he trained, there wasn't a record of someone matching his presumed power set and skill level, at least not a record that Logan can find, and over the years Janus had learned that there were very few things that Logan couldn't. There was always the chance that he simply didn’t have powers at all, which would make finding him even harder. Sadly, heroes who knew to be secretive about their training were often off the records. They were far easier to take care of when their secret identity wasn't so secret.
It was only because of his instinct that he raised his cane, blocking the swing for the side of his head, most of his attention was preoccupied with getting the fuck out of here. He has told his people to run, take the few that had been incapacitated with them. Not really for any self sacrificing reason, but rather that he was certain he could follow them right out.
Crimson Void didn’t agree with this sentiment.
He heard something shift somewhere, probably one of the pipes, no living soul was supposed to be in the building by this point. He supposed it was a risk, making enough of a show that all the employees got out before they tampered with anything but he really wasn't in the mood to kill any innocents. He wasn't even sure they had a union and he wasn't a fan of kicking somebody when they’re down.
Well, no, he was, but only when it was personal.
Crimson Void swung up, an attempt to upper cut his jaw that missed him narrowly as he took a quick step back.
He reached with his cane, able to jab him in the ribs but not in the position to put any real force behind it, it was more of a distraction as he stepped back further. He readied himself as Crimson Void closed the distance again.
“Are you sure you want to keep wasting time? This place is going to blow any minute.”
“And who’s fault is that?” He stepped into his next punch, which means that he kept going as Janus dodged harshly.
“I assure you -” Crimson Void had adjusted quickly, shifting to aim his fist at Janus’ face. Well, at least the scales were sharp, and he could later relish in the miniscule cuts that might’ve made it through the hero’s costume as he nursed his swollen cheek.
He gripped his cane with both hands, rearing back to rain the handle down on Crimson Void’s head, leaving plenty of time for him to raise both arms to block, but that thing was solid metal, it’d bruise at least. He pushed back and Janus shifted easily, taking the excuse to put space between them, space that he could use to get to the door.
“I assure you,” He spat, “It would be much easier to gloat if we both survive.” He gestured to the door.
“What’s your aim?’
“Survival?”
He scoffed, “Why are you blowing up this building?”
“I’m sorry but you really haven’t caught me in a monologuing mood, Hero, let’s save that for when I have you tied up in a warehouse over a tank of piranhas, crocodiles, sharks? Take your pick, I’m partial to the venomous snakes.” He rushed forward, swiveling the moment Crimson Void made a move to block, slamming his cane's handle into Crimson Void's side.
The hero was skilled, it’d be idiotic to deny. Even without a weapon, he was completely able to keep up with Janus’ pace, though admittedly he had given himself a handicap by letting his guard down. He barely thought Crimson Void would show up at all with a job so quick, and he’d become just a tad too certain at the thought that the hero wouldn’t bother showing up after all was already said and done, he was literally about to walk out the door.
The door , if he could just get to it-
Crimson Void grabbed him by the collar, shoving him toward the wall. Janus brought up his cane quickly, slamming into the other’s forearm, shoving him off. Crimson Void readjusted, taking a step forward.
A loud bang followed by foul whistling. A pipe had burst.
“Now or never, Hero.” Janus bit out, moving towards the door, Crimson Void didn’t follow.
There was a shattering noise behind him. Well, not quite shattering. It sounded like a window exploding and sand falling and a crackling firework all at once.
He spun on his heels to see the wall disintegrate, crumbling into shards and dust.
Next to it was Crimson Void. His hand up like he had touched the wall that had just been there, then simply walked out.
So that's what his power was. Now the question was what on Earth was that?
Another bang and whistle and Janus noted that now was a really bad time to think about it. He turned and rushed out the door.
Luckily, he wasn't too deep in the building and his memory served him well enough that he wasn't fumbling for directions. Boots clanged against metal with the occasional sounds of pipes bursting and Janus silently swore to backhand whoever it was who decided this factory needed stairs.
He pushed the exit open, sunlight glaring in his eyes. He didn't let that slow him down, he ran a few paces before his car pulled in front of him.
Only when he was in the back seat, feeling the car swivel chaotically as it sped away, did he breathe.
"What the fuck, babes."
"Remy-"
He was cut off by the ear deafening boom of an explosion. He casually glanced behind him, the crumbling building, covered in red and clouds of dark smoke."
"Sure took your sweet time in there, didn't ya?" Remy said shrilly from the driver's seat.
"Call Logan."
"He already did." Logan's voice said through the car's speakers.
Oh good, "Wonderboy just disintegrated a wall."
"He what?" Remy asked.
There was typing on Logan's end, "Clarify."
"There was a wall at one moment and then there wasn't."
"So it just disappeared?"
"I didn't see it happen - I was trying to leave - but when I turned around it was as if he had shattered the wall to gravel."
"Did he punch it?" Remy asked.
Janus shook his head, "Looked like he just touched it."
"Well, the good news is that that's a much more specific power than a general strength ability like we had previously assumed." Logan said.
That was correct, though it was still jarring, he didn't think he'd ever seen a hero wait so long to use their power, he had naturally assumed that either Crimson Void didn't have a power and was relying purely on skill, or he had already been using his power when he was throwing his typical punches.
"Why do I feel like you're going to follow this up with bad news?"
"With only a cursory glance I cannot find records of any powers that closely match, unless you were fighting an eighty year old woman from Vancouver."
Janus sighed, "I assume I would've been offered a butterscotch candy by now if that were the case."
"Boo, beating up an eighty year old grandma, Jay? That's low."
"I could have you banned from every coffee shop in a fifty mile radius"
"You wouldn't dare."
"I would."
"He would." Logan correctly reiterated.
"Rude. You wanna buy your favorite getaway driver a latte now?"
"Missy?"
"Me."
"Why would I buy you a coffee?"
"As an apology for almost blowing up my ass?"
"I promise I was never anywhere near your ass."
Remy made an offended noise but Logan cut him off before he could argue, "He's right, you need to be more careful."
Oh, he did not need this lecture, "Right, yes, because I was totally planning on cutting it that close. I invited Crimson Void to show up and delay me there."
"I'm serious," Logan said, "You should've called me, I might've been able to get access to the security cameras."
Frankly, Janus didn't even wear an earpiece, he didn't think it was necessary, it actually shouldn't have been necessary, and besides, "Didn't you have a date today?"
"Oooh." Remy said like this was fresh gossip when he definitely already knew.
"It's just coffee and it's not for another couple hours, I can do multiple things in a day." Logan said, "Why? Do you need me to call him?"
Janus huffed, "I'm not injured." He lied, yes, but his injury was minor, he hardly needed a doctor called for a bruise.
"You could have been."
"But I wasn't, Worrywart."
"You know I'm more than willing to tell on you."
What was he? A misbehaving child? He really didn't need that lecture.
"My own right hand man, betraying me? The audacity."
"Your own right hand man is well aware that your husband's word outranks yours in most instances."
Well it's true but he didn't have to say it.
"Hey, boss?" Remy said, "Can I be your left hand man?"
Janus just sighed, trying not to wince as he shifted in his seat, his knees didn't appreciate the running, it seems. He chose to mostly ignore Remy’s ramblings during the drive back home.
Janus walked in on pacing, unsurprisingly. Virgil turned suddenly and glared, also unsurprisingly.
"Hello, my deare-"
"Cut the crap."
Janus gasped in faux offense, "But you are my dearest." Leaving his cane by the door, he reached Virgil with open arms and the other man folded himself into the embrace easily, burying his face in the crook of Janus' neck.
"Do I have to come out of retirement to keep you from killing yourself?" His voice was muffled by Janus' shirt.
"You make it sound like I wanted to stay in a time bomb of a building."
"You have to be more careful." Virgil was clinging to him, clenching fabric to keep him from pulling away. Janus ran a hand gently up his spine, he was shaking.
"I will endeavor to do so."
Virgil pulled back to look him in the eyes, he seemed to be determining something.
"Good." he said.
He reached for Janus' face, tilting him by the chin, looking for injuries. Ever worried, it was sweet. His expression hardened.
"Cut the crap, Jan."
"You're far too smart, darling." Janus said. He had already dropped his villain persona's form for something that actually looked like him. All in all, they weren't that different, just minute changes in his features and the Serpent looked a bit more like a sibling than an identical twin. The real disguise that threw everyone off was the animalistic half of his body.
Of course, he wouldn't want the Serpent to be seen walking into his building, so he switched out forms.
That being said, he had avoided dropping his disguise completely, until now.
"Oh, Jan," Virgil said softly, tracing his thumb over Janus' sore cheek, "I'm going to get the bruise cream." He pulled away.
He could distantly hear Virgil rummaging around the bathroom to find their first aid kit as he sat on their couch and turned on the TV.
It blared to life with the sound of a reporter describing the helicopter footage of a crumbled and burning factory, a little graphic in the corner let him know it was live.
Today was supposed to be a quick in and out. Honestly, if he weren't so particular about his image, he probably didn't even need to show face. He had simply cut a deal with the CEO of a generous corporation, generous in the money they were willing to shell out to the 'business partner' of a supervillain to take out a rival company's manufacturing plant. Really, most everyone had figured out that Serpent was a shapeshifter, you'd think they'd put two and two together? Maybe he was just a better actor than he gave himself credit for.
Virgil came back into view and sat himself down next to Janus, who let himself get doted upon as he watched the fruits of his labor on the news.
Crimson Void was very insistent on getting information. It was odd. Any other hero would be focused on something silly like getting him arrested or killing all evil, whichever seems more noble to the individual. Actually any other hero would be trying to get out of the building, but he supposed this one likely had a plan of getting out. Did he have a getaway driver himself on that side of the building? Did he have some sort of secondary ability he also hadn't used in battle yet like flight? If anyone had gotten footage of the hero's exit, or entry for that matter, it would certainly be played on loop on this channel, however it wasn't. There was no mention of him. There were occasional loops showing Serpent running out of the building and into an unmarked car. Luckily the camera was a bit too shaky and a bit too far away to show how frazzled he felt.
He couldn't say whether Crimson Void completely lacking footage today was on purpose or not, he did think that a number of heroes really couldn't care less about the fame, only about saving the day from their own perspective.
But why was he so insistent? Janus didn't doubt that the questioning would've continued if not for the pipes acting like a makeshift timer.
Perhaps he should actually just use a bomb next time, at least there'd be an actual timer. But the set up was too easy here, how could he resist? With no safety net, anyone could have turned a few dials up and overloaded the system. Really, the working environment looked horrendous there. He can’t say he’d ever been in the manufacturing facility of metal hardware, but it looked unregulated to say the least. Maybe with this, it might trigger some sort of discussion around factory employee's safety.
Anyone could have done it, the only reason he felt the need to be there was that he had promised that Serpent himself would do the deed, a small price to pay considering the offer, and he preferred to not have his people do it and just leave his calling card. That'd make it far too easy for copycats. He knew from experience that some villains didn't want credit and would happily pin their activities on anyone else, and he'd rather stay in control of his image, thank you very much.
He sighed and Virgil dropped his hand, having finished applying the cream, and instead leaned against Janus, head on his shoulder and his legs folded, already halfway onto Janus' lap.
"What are you thinking about?"
Janus smiled, turning to press a kiss to Virgil's head. "Just about how we met."
Virgil laughed, "A sap and a liar. You were too lost in thought for that."
"Can't I be lost in thoughts about you, my dear?"
Virgil turned his head slightly to give him a look and Janus was defeated.
"I really was thinking about you, about why I prefer to avoid leaving calling cards without showing face first."
Virgil snorted, "I wasn't that bad."
"Don't sell yourself short, Love." Janus said, "I was also thinking that Crimson Void was odd today, well odd in general."
"Aren't all heroes?"
Janus hummed, "He seemed to only care about getting information. And he waited so long to use his power, and when he did, it was just to escape?"
"Well, one of those is simple. From what Logan described, it sounded really destructive, maybe he's just one of those heroes with a no killing rule?"
"Possibly."
"And as for information, he's well liked by the public so far, if he knew you were working on behalf of a company, he could tell a reporter and cause a PR nightmare, no one would want to work with you."
"He couldn't have thought I would just tell him that though."
"He's a hero, Jan, they don't exactly have a great track record when it comes to intelligence."
Janus felt himself grin, "You're not wrong."
"I'm never wrong." Virgil said primly.
Janus glanced at the clock mounted on the wall, he had a bit of time. He was admittedly a bit elated at the fact that this deal had gone so well, surprise Crimson Void attack aside, they had been willing to pay in advance in full. Though this did mean that he'd have somewhere else to be later.
He turned the TV off after it was clear that nothing new would come out of it.
"Have you eaten yet?"
"Breakfast." Virgil replied.
Janus hummed, "Yes, I was there for that, what about lunch?"
Virgil sighed dramatically and stood, Janus followed, biting back a laugh. "Kinda early for lunch, isn't it?" Virgil asked but not stopping his mission for food. It's true, they usually did eat a bit later, but not by much.
He may or may not have tried using Virgil being distracted by searching through the fridge to his advantage, considering he was pretty sure he knew what Virgil's response was going to be.
"There's a delivery coming for the kitchen." He said simply.
Virgil paused, "And I'm guessing you don't trust your employees to handle it themselves?"
Janus rolled his eyes, "You know it's not that."
Virgil scoffed, but he was smiling at least, "Why did I marry a social butterfly?"
"My charm and good looks?"
"Charming is certainly a word for it." Virgil said, setting supplies to make a sandwich on the counter, "You shouldn't be shifting into a form while injured." Virgil said, a bit too subdued to be matter of fact about it.
"Nothing is broken, and it shouldn't take long, an hour, maybe two at the most."
He hummed in response.
"Would you like to come with?" Janus offered, he didn't want to make Virgil worried, in fact he hated doing so. He was so anxious already, Janus didn't need to add to it, but it was inevitable.
"If someone other than you looks at me I will start crying."
Oh.
Perhaps the spike of anxiety from earlier was more draining than Janus had assumed. He sidled up next to Virgil, wrapping an arm around his waist as he started to assemble his lunch.
"Do you need me to stay?"
"No, it's fine."
Janus huffed, "Do you want me to stay? You are right, I don't technically have to be there."
Virgil turned to him, "Two hours, don't get into a fight, don't stay shifted longer than necessary and I'll be fine. I'm just gonna rewatch The Office bloopers and nap, you won't miss much."
He was smiling, smiling at him, pressed up against him, and he could kiss him. He didn't think he'd ever get over that fact.
He could feel his smile against his lips, Virgil hummed and then pulled away far too soon, "Go get a plate, you can't tell me to eat without eating yourself."
"Fair enough." Janus said easily, pressing a kiss to the corner of the other's lips before stepping away.