Remus was lying on the ground, idly chewing on the last crumb of food he had left.

It had been a week since Patton left him in the basement. His father hadn’t come back, not even to wish his son a happy birthday. Remus missed his brother. He missed listening to music and playing video games. Most of all, he missed Janus. They were supposed to run away together a week ago. What did his boyfriend think happened to him?

Did he think Remus abandoned him? Did he think Remus was dead? Maybe he was looking for him.

Remus slowly sat up. He hadn’t slept in days, waiting for Patton to let him out. His eyelids were heavy with fatigue, and he could feel himself beginning to thin from the small portions of food he had to live off of. 

Were the police involved? Did anyone even know he was missing? What did Patton tell Roman? 

Even if people were looking for him, did it matter? After all, who would suspect that a missing person was in their own home the entire time? On top of that, the room he was in had been kept a secret for years. The twins didn’t even know about it. How would the police know it was there? 

Oh god, was he going to die in there?

“Fuck.” Remus whispered, feeling himself begin to shake. 

What if Patton never came back for him? Would he get sick from the bucket of his own waste that sat in the corner? Would he starve to death? Would he die of thirst? Which one was supposed to claim him first? He didn’t remember. 

The thought was sickening. Remus could die in this room, and his loved ones would remain blissfully unaware. Would Patton dispose of his body? He’d have to, right? The smell would surely find its way into the house.

He shook his head. “Stop thinking like that.” He grit out, wrapping his arms around himself.

Remus would get out. He had to. Patton couldn’t leave him in here forever, could he? 

“Let me out.” Remus croaked, crawling toward the door. He had been begging to no one for days, praying that someone would hear him. “Please.” 

He pounded on the door weakly, starvation seeping at his strength. A dry sob escaped his throat. He had cried for hours during the first few days, but he just couldn't bring himself to anymore.

Then, by some miracle, Remus heard the bookcase being moved away from the door.

He lit up, feeling his heart beginning to pound faster. He had come back! He had really come back! 

The latch was being unlocked.

A small part of Remus knew that he was supposed to feel disgusted with Patton, but he was too relieved to care. 

The door opened. 

Patton was standing there. He gave his son an empty smile. “Hello, Remus.” He greeted, closing the door behind him.

Remus burst into tears.

“Dad--!” He choked out, falling at his father’s feet. “You--Dad--!” He hiccuped, unable to speak. 

Patton kneeled down, wrapping his arms around the younger. Immediately, Remus clutched the back of his father’s shirt, burying his face in his shoulder. 

Patton shushed him gently, just like he did when the twins were kids. He ran his fingers through Remus’ hair. “You’re eighteen now.” He hummed lightly. “Happy late birthday.” 

He pulled away, and stood up. Remus wrapped his arms around himself again, trying to simulate the warmth he just felt.

Patton walked over to the, now empty, boxes on the ground. “You were hungry, hm?” He commented, eyeing the empty cans on the floor. “I should’ve given you more, I’m sorry.” 

Remus didn’t respond, still a mess on the ground. He was shaking, staring at his father like he wasn't real.

He looked over at the bucket, not even reacting to the disgusting contents. He hummed, looking back to Remus.

“Here.” He threw a box on the ground, right in front of him. “Open it.” 

The box was small, barely the size of Remus’ palm. He opened it, his hands shaking with quiet sobs. 

It was a ring. Silver, with green gems embedded in it. There was something ingrained inside. 

Pulchra Amica.

Remus’ eyes widened. 

“It means ‘beautiful darling’ in Latin.” Janus had told him, a dumb grin on his face. “You’re my pulchra amica.” 

“This--” Remus gasped, looking back up at Patton.

“It’s from Janus.” His father told him, staring down at him blankly. “An engagement ring, he said.” He crossed his arms. “He planned to propose this weekend.” 

Remus could barely breathe, feeling his face go red as he looked back down at the ring.

Janus wanted to marry him? He wanted to spend the rest of his life with Remus by his side? He wanted to make it official?

Based on the date, Janus had wanted to propose at their first location, the Grand Canyon. They had planned to stop there first, since Remus had wanted to see it his whole life.

Tears streamed down his face once more, but this time for a completely different reason. 

Did that make them engaged? 

Remus felt giddy at the thought as he took the ring out of its box. 

He ran his fingers along the gems. God, the ring must’ve cost Janus a fortune. It was gorgeous. How long had he been planning this? 

He slipped it onto his finger. It fit perfectly. 

When would they get married? Where would they get married?

He froze.

Would they get married?

Remus blanched, suddenly remembering where he was and who he was with. He looked up at Patton, who was staring at him with a calm expression on his face. 

“It’s a nice ring.” He commented, and that somehow caused shivers to run down Remus’ spine.

He looked down, scowling a bit. “When will you let me out?” Remus growled, a desire to see Janus overtaking him. “Don’t you think you’re taking it too far?” 

Patton didn’t say anything for a moment. Still, the temperature in the room dropped dramatically. Remus shifted anxiously, refusing to look up and meet his father’s eyes.

“I’ve tried to be reasonable with you.” Patton spoke up. He didn’t sound angry, and somehow that was worse. “I’ve given you every opportunity to amend your mistakes, to leave that boy, to let your family back into your life.” 

“Mistakes?” Remus whipped his head up. “Meeting Janus wasn’t a mistake! He’s the best thing to ever happen to m--!” 

Patton slapped him in the face. 

Remus fell on his side. He grit his teeth, glaring at the floor.

“You clearly haven’t learned your lesson.” Patton said, stepping closer to him. 

“Fuck you.” Remus spat venomously, clenching his fists. 

Patton kneeled down in front of him again, staring at him blankly. “I only want what’s best for you, Rem. Stop being so difficult.”

Remus didn’t grace that with a response, trying to keep his breathing even. 

“Your brother is a mess, y’know.” Patton tilted his head. “He hasn’t eaten properly in days.” 

“Yeah? That makes two of us.” Remus glanced at him. 

“The sooner you come back, the sooner things will go back to normal.” Patton told him. “Save your brother the heartache.” 

“That’s not really up to me, is it?” Remus sneered. 

“But it is.” Patton shook his head, standing back up. He grabbed the bucket in the corner. “You’ll understand soon enough.” 

He walked towards the door, and Remus’ heart seized at the thought of being alone again. “Wait!”

Patton paused, looking back at him. “What?” 

“I--” He frowned, looking away. “I don’t like it down here. It’s so quiet. ” He murmured. 

Patton didn’t say anything for a bit, observing his son. “...I’m sure you can find a way to make it less quiet.” He said, before walking back to the door. "I'll bring the bucket back tomorrow, as well as some food." 

And with that, he walked out the door.

Remus swallowed thickly.

---

Janus was lying on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. 

It had already been two weeks since Remus went missing. It had felt like years. Janus was worried out of his mind. Where could his boyfriend be? What if he was dead?

The thought made him want to puke. Remus could be dead in a ditch somewhere, his final moments spent alone and scared. 

When was the last time Janus had told Remus he loved him? Would he ever get to say it again? What was the last thing he said to him? 

Janus wanted nothing more than to hold Remus in his arms again, to promise him a happy life, to never leave his side. 

Patton had refused to report the case to the police until just yesterday, claiming that Remus probably ran off with some other boy. He finally relented at Roman’s insistence.

He sat up, his eyes immediately catching the scrapbook that lay abandoned on his dresser. Remus’ birthday present. He had given the engagement ring to Patton, hoping that it would get to Remus immediately upon his return. 

Janus stood up to grab the scrapbook.

When he opened it, he was immediately greeted by Remus’ bright smile. It was a picture of the two of them on their first date. 

Janus stood stiff as a plank, his face bright red, while Remus held his hand and gave the camera a peace sign.

The two of them had gone to an amusement park, and Janus bought the tickets himself. Remus insisted he could pay for his own, but he wouldn’t let him. He wanted the date to be perfect, since he had liked Remus for a while already. 

Looking back on it, he should’ve just let Remus buy his own ticket.

Janus chuckled. God, he looked awkward in that picture. He remembered how nervous he was. Remus insisted that he wasn’t too pathetic, but Janus got the feeling that he was lying. He had tripped over his own words more times than he could count. It was impressive how Remus put up with him. 

Remus was always doing things for him.

Janus furrowed his brow, a sudden realization coming over him. Remus was always doing things for him, so shouldn’t Janus do something for him?

“I’m going to find you.” Janus whispered to the picture, his voice gaining a fierce determination. “I promise.” 

Of course, he couldn’t do it alone. He needed help. 

Janus quickly pulled out his phone for the first time in two weeks.

There were eight missed calls. Two from Logan, five from Roman, and one from Virgil.

He clicked on the last one, redialing the number. It rang for a few seconds, before his older brother picked up the phone.

“Hello?” 

“Virgil.” Janus’ voice was hoarse from lack of use. 

“Janus?” Virgil sounded surprised. “Finally calling me back after standing me up, hm? Don’t worry, I forgive you, but--”

“I need your help.” Janus cut him off. “Have you watched the news recently?”

Virgil paused. “...I don’t watch the news. Makes me anxious.” 

“You’re good at tracking people down, right?” Janus asked. “That’s your job, isn’t it?” 

“That’s...a part of it, yeah.” Virgil murmured. “That’s what private investigators are known for.” He was silent for a moment. “Why? Who do you need me to track down? I’m kind of busy with a case at the moment, Jan. I’m working with the cops.”

“It’s Remus.” Janus told him, his voice exhausted. “He’s...I don’t--”

“Remus? As in your boyfriend?” Virgil asked, voice going quieter. “Did something happen to him?”

“I don’t know.” Janus lamented, feeling himself beginning to tear up. “No one has seen him for two weeks. It’s like he disappeared off the face of the planet.” 

Virgil hummed. “Meet me at the park in twenty minutes. We’ll talk there.” With that, he hung up.

Janus stared at his phone dumbly, before he hurriedly left his room, making his way to the front door.

“Where are you going, boy?” 

Janus stilled, glancing behind him.

His father was laying on the couch, staring at him with a bottle of beer in his hand. His beer gut stuck out of his tank top, hairy and dirty. 

“You’re actually coherent?” Janus drawled, facing him while crossing his arms. “That’s pretty unusual for you.”

“Where are you going?” His father repeated, irritated by the comment.

“Why do you care? You never cared before.” Janus scoffed. “Just drink your beer, old man, and leave me alone. You’ve been doing that for the past ten years.” He rolled his eyes.

“Are you leaving?” His father frowned, narrowing his eyes as he searched Janus’ expression. “Like your brother?” 

Janus was supposed to already be gone.

“Does it matter?” He huffed, scowling. 

“‘Course it does.” His father shook his head. “People go missing all the time. D’you see that boy on the news?” 

Janus’ expression darkened. “His name is Remus.” 

“You know him?” His father raised a brow, taking a sip of his drink.

“He’s my boyfriend, you old bastard. You’ve met him.” Janus sneered. “I guess it makes sense how you don’t remember, you were drunk out of your mind.” 

“Hey!” His father exclaimed, affronted. 

“Listen, I don’t have time for this.” Janus spat. “I’m leaving. I’ll be back tonight. Can you survive until then?” 

“Oh, whatever. Do what you want. Damn teenagers.” He took another sip from his bottle.

Janus huffed, before walking out the door.

---

“Roman, honey?” Patton knocked on the door.

Roman didn’t respond from where he sat on his mattress, just staring at the bed across the room. The disgusting shade of green that was decorated across the sheet in an erratic pattern, the pillows that looked incredibly uncomfortable, the messy qualities still being present despite the fact that the bed was made. All those things were so characteristic of his brother, it made his heart ache.

Three weeks already since he’s been gone, so much time, yet so little.

“Roman, you need to eat.” His father told him. “Remus wouldn’t want you doing this.” 

What would Remus want? When he went missing, Roman realized that he didn’t really know his brother at all. What were Remus’ plans for the future? Did he plan to go to college? Get a job? Settle down with Janus? What did he like to do in his free time? Where would he and Janus go on their dates? Hell, what did Remus even like?

Was he a horrible brother? 

Maybe Remus really did run away. Roman didn’t give him much incentive to stay. 

Patton pushed the door open, looking at his son sadly. “Hey, Ro.” He spoke softly, a plate of food in his hand. 

Roman didn’t even look at him, his eyes refusing to look away from Remus’ bed. He didn’t want to touch it, like disturbing it would break the illusion that his brother still slept in that bed. At the same time, he wanted to wrap himself in the blanket, letting Rem’s scent engulf him whole.

“You need to eat.” Patton told him again, placing the plate in his hands. Roman’s fingers curled around it loosely, but that was the only movement he gave. Patton frowned.

Based on the smell, it was chicken. Roman’s favorite. Despite how good it smelled, his stomach churned at the thought of eating. 

“Logan has been asking to see you.” Patton sat down next to him, rubbing a soothing hand on his back. “He’s worried sick.” 

Why? Roman wasn’t missing. Everyone knew where Roman was. 

“You’re worrying all of us, Ro.” Patton murmured, his voice going thick with emotion. “Please. Eat.”

Roman tore his eyes away from Remus’ bed, glancing at Patton. 

His dad looked absolutely heartbroken, and a pang of sympathy went through Roman. This was probably hard on him too. Losing a child like this, Roman couldn’t even imagine it. 

“I’m sorry.” Roman muttered, looking down at the plate of food in his hands and moving it to his nightstand.

“No, honey, you have nothing to apologize for.” Patton quickly wrapped his arms around his son, running his fingers through his hair. “We just want you to be okay.”

“How can I be okay without him?” Roman asked quietly, feeling tears beginning to build up. “We’ve always been together, dad. Always.” He took a shaky breath. “He wouldn’t just leave. He wouldn’t.” 

“We’re looking for him, Ro. The police are trying so hard to find him.” Patton pulled away, cupping Roman’s cheek. “We need to trust them. They’ll find him, I know they will.” 

“You can’t know that.” Roman shook his head. “What if we never see him again? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

“Ro…” Patton frowned sympathetically. 

“He’s a part of who I am.” Roman whispered. “Before everything, it was just me and him. Who am I without him?” 

Patton looked genuinely anguished at that. “You’re my son, Ro. You both are my sons.” He breathed, his tone matching Roman’s perfectly. “And I will protect you forever.” 

Roman buried his face in Patton’s shoulder. “I miss him.” He mumbled, tears beginning to spill out of him and making his father’s shirt damp.

“I know.” Patton responded, holding Roman tightly. “I know.” 

---

Remus had been given a new box of food from his dad. 

That was three weeks ago. 

That made the total amount of time he had spent there approximately four weeks. Four weeks of solitude, Four weeks of starvation, Four weeks of exhaustion. A month of his life, stolen from him. 

Remus curled up in a ball.

I'm going to die in here.

Starvation, or fatigue, or sickness would claim him. It was only a matter of time. He would die with his back pressed against the cold, concrete floors, with only the low hum of the air vent to comfort him. 

Or perhaps his father would be there when he died. What would he think, Remus wondered. Would he feel guilt for his actions, or would he think that his son’s death was a mere consequence of his own sin? Maybe, in some sick way, Remus really did deserve it. 

After all, a month of solitude couldn’t have gone undeserved, could it? 

Perhaps Remus really was a terrible son. A terrible brother. A terrible person. Maybe this was karma for all the times he snapped at his father, or brushed his brother off.

He shook his head. If he was, he didn’t regret it. Janus was worth all of it. He would survive this, for Janus if not himself. His boyfriend was most likely making himself sick with worry. He needed to get out, just to assure his boyfriend that Remus was still alive.

The door to the room opened. Remus didn’t move.

“Rem? Are you sleeping?” 

It was Patton. Remus felt silly for hoping it was someone else.

“Oh, you’re not. Your breathing is too heavy to be relaxed.” Patton observed, walking closer. “How are you? It’s been awhile, hm?” 

“Let me out.” Remus croaked, not even glancing up at his father. “Please.” 

Patton hummed. “Not yet, I’m afraid, kiddo. Not yet.” He reached a hand down to lightly pet Remus’ hair. “Why don’t you get up, yeah? I can’t imagine the floor is too comfortable.” 

Remus, feeling a spark of rebellion course through him, scrunched his face up. “No.” 

Patton paused. “...No?” He echoed. “Did I hear that correctly?” 

Remus paled at his tone, immediately regretting his earlier defiance. He looked up at his father, seeing an irritated expression on his face. “I’m sorry.” He murmured hastily. 

“Get up.” Patton backed off. 

Remus quickly obeyed, feeling his hands beginning to shake. “I’m sorry.” He repeated. 

What was he thinking? Why would he talk back to the one person who controlled whether or not he lived or died down there? Had he lost his mind?

“Gosh, Remus.” Patton sighed heavily, crossing his arms. “What am I going to do with you?” 

“I’m sorry, dad.” Remus said once more, curling in on himself. 

“Yes, I know.” Patton snapped. “Can you say anything else? You’re like a broken record.” 

“I’m--” Remus cut himself off, wringing his hands together. “...h-how’s Roman doing?” He stammered.

Patton softened. “He’s still not coming out of his room, but he’s more willing to speak with other people.” 

“That’s...progress, I suppose.” Remus murmured, looking down at the ground. “I’m glad he’s doing better.”

“Oh, and your boyfriend’s brother--What was his name, Virgil?” Patton mused. “He stopped by a couple weeks ago. I think Janus has enlisted his help in finding you.” 

Remus felt his heart begin to pound, snapping his head up to look at Patton again. “Really?” 

Patton frowned. “He’s not going to find you, Remus. No one will.” 

Remus pursed his lips, looking away again. He didn’t say anything, but somehow his father could still sense the anger that statement had just caused. 

“Don’t tell me you’re mad at me?” Patton barked out an incredulous laugh. “You’re mad at me? Me?! Remus, you’re the reason you’re in this mess!” Patton shouted. “I’m trying to fix you!” 

“Have you considered that I don’t need fixing?” Remus grumbled under his breath, the words practically deafening in the silent room. 

Remus blanched, fully meaning for the words to be internal. He quickly met his father's gaze. "I--"

Patton punched Remus in the face. 

Remus fell to the floor, blinking spots from his vision. “I’m sorry.” He gasped.

“I’m sorry.” Patton mocked, kicking him in the stomach. Remus rolled, now lying on his back. “You are so ungrateful!” He sneered, stomping on his son’s chest. “Do you even realize how lucky you are?! Most parents don’t care about their children like I care about you!” 

Remus coughed, eyes widening. “I--” 

“Sometimes I wonder why I even bother with you!” Patton continued, his stomps becoming more forceful. “Why do I even bother trying to fix you when you refuse my help! This was my last resort, Remus!”

Remus’ vision began to blur, his coughs becoming more painful and wet by the second.  “Dad--I can’t--” A spurt of blood left his mouth at the next cough.

“I do this because I love you!” Patton kicked him in the side, causing him to roll onto his stomach.

Remus groaned, dizziness causing his stomach to churn.

Patton backed away, breathing heavily. “...I’ll be back tomorrow.” He snarled, grabbing the bucket before walking back to the door. “You’re getting less food.” 

Remus’ fell into the tight grip of unconsciousness as his father pushed open the metal door. 

Before he faded out, he weakly brought his hand up to stare at the ring on his finger.

Just a bit longer, he told himself.

Just a bit longer.

A/N:

As someone who took Latin for seven years, I'm about 99% sure pulchra amica DOESN'T mean "beautiful darling", but google translate said so ig