Chapter Text
Janus opened the door to his apartment, throwing off the nice dress shoes and jacket. Work had been long and awful, and he stared up at the ceiling as he plopped down on the couch.
It was midnight. His birthday was officially starting.
Yipee.
Another year spent…
Alone.
He needed a drink.
Janus fished the wine out of his cabinet, groaning lightly when he realized there wasn’t much left. He just chugged the bottle.
The wine didn’t do much for him, really. His tolerance was high enough that it took a while for him to get wasted, so he took a shower and crawled into bed, passing out almost instantly.
Janus woke up to the sound of construction. He groaned.
He hated his job, but wished he didn’t have the day off so he wouldn’t have to think about the fact that it was his birthday. Retail had a way of keeping him occupied. He’d tried to pick up a shift but no one was giving.
So he sat there in bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Eventually he pulled himself out, looking in the mirror. The vitiligo that painted one side of his face was a common sight, but his hair being as messy as it was, wasn’t. He figured if he couldn’t work, he’d distract himself. Go out, maybe go to the zoo.
So he fixed himself breakfast after his morning routine, and got dressed. A black shirt, pants, and shoes, but with a yellow belt and jacket. He also grabbed a beanie in case it was cold.
Town was quiet, and people didn’t so much as look at him. Not that he minded. He wandered towards the zoo, frowning at the price but figuring that his birthday was as good a time as any to spend.
The animals calmed him. Especially the snakes. They didn’t do much, but they calmed him in a way few things did. Not many people came in here either, so he mostly had the room to himself.
Not that it was interesting for more than an hour.
He left after a while, not feeling any more fulfilled in his birthday. Though, he stopped by the grocery store and got himself a couple cupcakes.
He was once again in that apartment. He took a candle, and put it in one of the cupcakes, and lit it.
He stared at it, feeling stupid. This was all pointless. His life was all pointless. He felt so lost and alone. He wanted something else in his life. But what? What kind of life would he lead?
He blew out the candle.
A knock echoed from the door. Janus paused, staring at it. Another knock.
He wasn’t expecting anyone. No one had ever been to his apartment. Even if he moved in 5 years ago. Another knock, louder.
He glanced through the peephole.
A teenager, maybe 15? Stood there. He had brown hair, and wore a purple jacket, and he looked around nervously. He knocked on the door again.
Janus slowly opened the door.
“…Hello?”
The young man smiled nervously. He looked so familiar.
“Are you Janus Daniels?”
“…Yes?”
“Hi. My names Thomas Sanders. I’m your son.”