Work Text:
Janus walks into the Library, his dress shoes softly clicking on the carpeted floor. He makes his way to the back. Towards his spot.
His spot, as Remus and Virgil have taken to calling it, is an area in the library that’s secluded. Not many people travel to this part of the library. Hence why there’s only one table.
The perfect table, it’s just dark enough to still see with enough sunlight to warm one’s skin. So suffice to say Janus was excited to sit down at his spot and get to work.
He rounds the corner, already getting his computer out of his bag. Only to find a person already sitting there. He looks at them, a little dumb founded.
This person wears classic black glasses, a necktie, a polo, and dress pants. Janus frowns at them and quickly turns back around and out of the library.
He fumes the whole drive home, he fumes all the way up to the door, he fumes up into the living room. Where he finds his roommates.
“Oh uh, hello.” He nervously smooths his shirt out.
They stare at Janus for a minute before Remus speaks up. “Janny, you okay?”
“Yes, of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” Janus hands fist together at his sides.
“‘Cause you're clutching your hands to the point where they’re white. Also your face is pinched in barely concealed anger.” Virgil, Janus vaguely makes out in the fog that is his brain.
He stares at Virgil befuddled, a little nervous that his friend didn’t mention that he also has mind reading powers on top of his other two.
“Well I-” He starts only for Virgil and Remus to give him a look. “God, some Jerkface stole my spot at the library!”
Silence at his small outburst, then, Remus starts laughing uncontrollably. Janus glares at him.
“I-I'm sorry but a fuckin’ library spot is what gets your panties in a twist?” Remus gasps out between laughter.
Janus looks towards Virgil for some help, only to find him trying to hold back his own laughter.
“It is pretty silly, I suppose” He sits slowly on the couch and starts to laugh too.
After they have calmed down Remus speaks up. “You can’t have anyone disrespecting you though, Janny.” He points his finger at Janus.
“Please enlighten me on what I should do then.”
“Challenge him to a duel.” Remus says this with such a straight face that Janus lets out a startled laugh.
“Ah yes that would work, Remus, thanks for the genius idea.”
“Alright, Alright, no need for sarcasm. You should show up an hour earlier and tell me what his face looked like when he saw you sitting in the spot.”
Janus rolls his eyes. “That’s a ridiculous idea. I’m not stooping to such childish ideals.”
With that last statement he goes to get started on dinner. As it was his night to cook.
Janus arrives at the library an hour earlier than when he usually does. He calmly walks back to his spot, happy to see it empty like it always should be. With that Janus gets started on his work.
About an hour in Jerkface shows his, well, face. Janus glances up discreetly to find his face in a mixture of annoyance and discomfort. He watches as Jerkface walks away presumably to a different spot in the library.
1 point Janus, 0 points Jerkface.
He goes home to gleefully tell his roommates about his success. He’s met with excitement and a “Hell yes! You went with my idea!” from Remus.
He smirks knowing his new time to arrive at the library.
Janus walks towards the back of the library. Dress shoes softly clicking on the carpet. The norm for Janus, except for showing up an extra hour to spite Jerkface. He rounds the same corner he always rounds and finds the spot em-
Taken. Janus wants to shout. The bastard stole his seat again! Again! He stands there for a minute too long as Jerkface glances up. The guy gives a lift to his lips that could barely be classified as a smile.
Janus spins around and walks out of the library.
1 point Janus, 1 point Jerkface.
“-And the asshole is in my spot again! Again! Like what kind of jerk shows up an hour earlier just to ensure you get the spot!” Janus gestures wildly with his fork. Spraying spaghetti sauce on the wall behind him.
“You.” Virgil points out unhelpfully.
It’s only unhelpful because it’s true. Janus knows he has started this war. Doesn’t mean he can’t be mad about it, though. With that thought he decides to show up even earlier than Jerkface. Janus will win this fucking war. If it’s the last thing he does.
Janus walks towards his spot, thankfully empty. He gets started on his work. Ready to work and see Jerkface’s surprised face at seeing him here already.
Janus doesn’t have to wait long as Jerkface arrives fifteen minutes into Janus’ session.
He watches as a flurry of emotions cross through Jerkface’s, well, face.
2 points Janus, 1 point Jerkface.
The next day Jerkface shows up before Janus. Janus screams internally then calmly walks away.
2 points Janus, 2 points Jerkface.
Janus, again, shows up earlier. To a thankfully empty spot. He gets to watch as Jerkface angrily turns away from the table and leaves.
3 points Janus, 2 points Jerkface.
He walks into the library to find his spot taken.
3 points Janus, 3 points Jerkface.
“Okay, you need to stop this petty feud with someone you haven’t even talked to yet. Just go after dinner, you snake.” Virgil helpfully points out.
Janus sighs, as that makes sense. He shouldn’t have listened to Remus and his dumb ideas. He continues to eat dinner and listen to Remus and Virgil -mostly Remus- chatter. He decides to have a chill day at home then go to the library.
Janus arrives at the library at six-thirty. Giving him an hour and a half until closing to work. He starts to get his computer out of his bag. Ready to get set up. He rounds the corner to find-
Jerkface sitting at the damn table.
4 points Jerkface, 3 points Janus. Janus vaguely thinks over the mush in his brain. Instead of silently (angrily) walking away he decides to confront Jerkface.
“Why do you keep stealing my spot?” Janus blurts out rather unpleasant.
“Ah it is my understanding that no one owns these seats other than the library.” Jerkface pauses to push up his glasses. “My apologies if you wanted to sit here, but there are still two seats open.” He then nods towards them.
Janus tisks. “No, I just need to know the times you come to this damn library so I can have my damn spot.”
Jerkface looks startled, Janus just rolls his eyes. “Oh well I suppose we could set up a schedule if you’d like?”
Janus nods and sits down across from Jerkface.
After the long process of putting a schedule together, Janus packs up ready to go home and rest. Jerkface does the same.
They both part ways at the door. Before parting Janus speaks one last time.
“This doesn’t mean you won.”
Janus walks away before he can see the confused expression that Jerkface made.