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Chapter Text

Subject Profile: REMUS

Code Name: Project Cataclysm
Subject ID: #017-R
Status: Contained - High Risk
Age: 25
Sex: Male
Affiliation: [REDACTED]

Summary of Abilities:
Subject Remus exhibits extreme elemental manipulation capabilities. Contact with natural elements results in large-scale environmental disasters. Documented abilities include:

- Earth: Physical contact with the ground triggers seismic activity, including earthquakes of varying intensity.

- Water: Contact with water induces large-scale tidal disturbances, capable of generating tsunamis.

- Air: Contact with a tangible breeze or wind current enables the Subject to manipulate atmospheric pressure and create tornadoes and/or hurricanes. Normal, still air (ambient atmosphere) has no effect on his powers and cannot trigger a reaction.

- Fire: Physical contact with flame causes rapid and uncontrollable fire spread, as if the entire environment were composed of highly flammable material. This results in quick escalation of flames and severe risk of widespread damage.

Behavioral Notes
Subject is highly volatile and emotionally reactive. Communication attempts are limited. Isolation protocols are in place. Must remain under 24/7 surveillance with no direct exposure to open elements. 

Containment Protocol
Level 5 security clearance required. Chamber is reinforced with multi-element suppression fields. No natural materials are allowed within containment. He is kept under continuous sedation with carefully managed calming medication.
Subject is provided nutrition exclusively via nutrient gel administered orally through a secure feeding device or via intravenous fluids. No solid food is permitted to reduce risk of accidental activation of abilities.

Additional Notes
Containment personnel have found that leveraging Subject Remus’s strong psychic connection to his twin brother Roman significantly improves compliance. Under this method, increased pressure and distress directed toward Roman are used as an indirect means to influence Remus’s behavior, capitalizing on his deep emotional dependence.

Subject Profile: ROMAN

Code Name: Project Siren
Subject ID: #018-R
Status: Contained - Medium Risk
Age: 25
Sex: Male
Affiliation: [REDACTED]

Summary of Abilities:
Subject Roman possesses cognitive-affecting abilities through oral storytelling. When speaking aloud, he induces a trance-like state in listeners lasting up to 6 hours. Effects include temporary paralysis, hallucinations, and loss of time perception. While Roman’s eyes remain normal, individuals under his influence exhibit glowing orange eyes. An outward sign of active hallucination and complete mental submersion.

Behavioral Notes:
Subject appears calm, cooperative, and socially adept. Verbal output is monitored at all times. A 10-minute storytelling session caused an entire research team to lose consciousness simultaneously.

Containment Protocol:
Subject Roman is confined within a fully soundproofed observation chamber to prevent accidental activation of his abilities. He is required to wear a muzzle at all times to restrict verbal output. All communication must be conducted through written messages. Verbal interaction with the subject is strictly prohibited unless personnel are equipped with Level 3 auditory protection gear. Continuous surveillance is mandatory to ensure containment integrity.
Subject is provided nutrition exclusively via nutrient gel administered through a sealed feeding port in the muzzle or via intravenous fluids. No solid food is permitted to avoid risk of speech or vocalization.

Additional Notes:
Subject Roman endures regular psychological and physical torment as a means to control his twin, Remus. Despite the abuse, Roman’s resilience remains uncertain, and the long-term effects on both subjects are closely monitored.

Roman wished he could use his ability on himself sometimes. Alas, he could only glimpse his memories vaguely when daydreaming about what once was.

A few months before they were kidnapped… or maybe taken away? He and Remus had been living on the streets. They were both just seven, and after the incident , they had no choice but to run, as far as possible.
Their family couldn’t help them anymore. They tried. They tried to love Roman and Remus as much as they could, but eventually, it became too much. And both brothers understood.
They weren’t angry.
They just wished.
They just wished.
And they kept on wishing.

For a better life.
For a better past.
For a better future.

For freedom from their curse abilities.

But those abilities kept coming back. And they kept hurting people. They didn’t want any of it. The only thing they wanted was to feel safe and loved.
Yet people were dropping like flies the moment Roman tried to explain something. And Remus kept triggering natural disasters inside his own home.

Roman remembered them sleeping under a bridge once. Remus had tried to slowly and carefully start a fire to keep them warm, and in the meantime, Roman managed to steal two blankets, some food, and water from a nearby store after using his ability on the cashier, making the man completely paralyzed. It scared little Roman to death, still not knowing for sure what effect his power had on people. But the moment he started crying, his brother showed up in less than two minutes. He hugged him tightly and kept repeating, over and over, that it was going to be okay. 

The bridge burned down that night. 

No casualties this time, but they still had to run again. What they hadn’t realized was that they were already being watched by some scientists who had been notified about abnormalities some time ago. First by people in Remus’ and Roman’s hometown, and now by those who had recently encountered them.

Eventually, pretending to be deeply concerned, the scientists approached the brothers and asked if they were okay. Remus, wary and untrusting, reassured them they didn’t need any help. But the strangers kept insisting. 

“I know it’s scary, having those… superpowers. But we think you guys are like superheroes! Do you know Batman?”

At those words, Roman lightened up. “He’s best friends with Superman!”

 “Well… you can say that, I suppose” The scientists looked at each other, knowing this was far from the lore truth. “We can help you be just like them. You don’t have to be alone anymore.”

Remus grabbed Roman’s hand firmly and took a step back. “I said we’re fine. Thank you, but we gotta go-”

One of the men stepped forward, too quickly, too harshly.
“Wait. Just listen for a second-”

Remus’s grip on Roman tightened. His twin looked up at him, confused but obedient.

“They seem nice,” Roman whispered carefully.

“They’re not,” Remus hissed back at him. “They know about our powers and they didn’t flinch when you mentioned them. Normal people always flinch.”

“We just want to help,” one said gently, but Remus knew there was nothing gentle in his intentions. He was watching twins carefully, scanning them with sick interests like they’re some…some lab rats. “We know what you’ve been through. We know what you can do.”

That was enough.

Remus turned, pulling Roman with him, and they bolted .

“STOP!” one of the men screamed as they took off running. Roman’s eyes widened.
“Remus, they’re-”

“Shut up and keep running!” Remus insisted. He promised himself they would be okay, so they had to be. Those fuckers wouldn’t hurt either of them. If they could just make it to the beach, maybe he could create a tsunami powerful enough to stop anyone from ever chasing them again. Forever.

But then he felt Roman slip from his grasp.
“Come on, Ro, just a little bit longer-!”

Suddenly, Roman collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

“Roman?” Remus stopped and knelt beside him, panic rising as he noticed a dart stuck in his brother’s arm.
“Ro… Roman?” He shook him, desperate to wake him, to make him get up. The men were closing in fast.

He could just run. Leave Roman behind. The beach was right there . 

But something held him back.

He pulled Roman into his lap and hugged him tightly.
“We’ll be okay, Roman… we’re gonna be okay.”

Roman hadn’t spoken properly to Remus in about eighteen years. His muzzle was always strapped on too tight, as if they were afraid he might shout something loud enough to trigger his ability. In reality, he could barely breathe in that damn thing, let alone speak. His voice got so scratchy over the past years, it didn’t feel like his anymore. He only used it when he was told to. Never when he wanted to.
He saw Remus from time to time. Usually, when the men wanted to make Remus cooperate, they would take Roman into the lab where Remus was held and make him watch everything they did to his brother. Needles piercing Roman’s body, the cold steel table pressing against his skin, not being able to even scream, muzzle still on him.
Sometimes they would force him to speak, use his ability on Remus to give him mental torture. 

But with every Roman’s visit, Remus seemed to…resent him altogether. It hurt to see Remus like this. Like he was angry with him. And when the men noticed that sudden change, those visits started to happen less and less, leaving Roman in isolation for months at a time.

No voice, no brother, no proper food… no humanity .

Only his tears remained, a haunting reminder that he once was someone.

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“ Hello ?” a distinct and unfamiliar voice echoed through the hall. 

Chapter Text

Virgil loved working with kids. As a school counselor, he spent his days talking with them about everything and nothing. Normally, he was a pretty anxious type, but at work, he seemed like an entirely different person. The kids trusted him because he never made fun of their problems the way some teachers did.

“They’re just children, they have no idea what real problems look like yet.”

Virgil disagreed with that every time. Their problems weren’t less serious - maybe just a little easier to solve, but they were never unimportant.

That’s what made him better than most of the suck-ups who worked here.

Well, maybe not the principal. He genuinely seemed to enjoy his job and always made time to visit every classroom, handing out healthy snacks before lunch.

Today’s snack? Baby carrots.

Virgil hated carrots.

Which is why it surprised him when the principal knocked on his office door… especially since he knew all about Virgil’s deep hatred of carrots.

“Knock, knock!” He smiled brightly as he walked in. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything?”

“No, Pat, you’re good,” Virgil replied with a smile, casually adjusting his hair. “What’s up?”

“Oh, you know how it is, making the rounds with snacks. Your office is the last stop today,” he said, setting a box down. “And since I’m well aware of your deep hatred for carrots, I figured I’d check in about this week’s snack order. Thought we might make a few… adjustments.”

He gave Virgil a sly grin.

“Two hundred and fifty little packages of baby carrots and… two packs of peeled apple slices. Oh, and an orange juice, for that sweet, sweet vitamin C you’ve been seriously lacking.”

“I showed you those test results in confidence,” Virgil muttered, though he appreciated the gesture. “You really didn’t have to go out of your way for me.”

“Out of my way? Your office is just ten steps away from the principal’s office! Not that much of a detour if you ask me,” he said, giggling at his own joke. “But seriously, it’s no problem, Virgil. That’s what friends are for.”

He handed him the snacks and picked up the now-empty box. “Well, see ya around Virg-”

“Wait, Patton?” Virgil stood up from his chair and walked over. “You know, I’ve been thinking about that invitation for your birthday this Friday, and… I think I’ll come. If I’m still welcome, that is.”

Patton tried to play it cool but you could tell he was about to burst with excitement. “Of course you’re welcome, Virgil!” He grabbed Virgil’s hand gently, light enough for him to pull away anytime, but Virgil decided not to. “Everyone on the school team got an invite, actually. It’s gonna be fun. Plus, I think it’s a good chance to hang out and get to know each other better. I know we talk a lot, but some teachers tend to kind of…avoid me? Unless strictly necessary. Hope I’m not coming off too strict or anything.”

“Patton, I’m going to be very straightforward with you. If the day ever comes when someone tells me you’re being too strict around here, that’s the day I’ll laugh myself to death.”

That put Patton at ease, and he sighed with relief. “Good. I’ll see you around.” He smiled and headed outside, closing the door softly behind him.

Virgil hated neckties. That’s why he loved that Patton encouraged everyone to dress casually for work (as long as it was appropriate, of course), meaning Virgil could wear his favorite jeans and a different shirt every day, usually featuring some movie, cartoon, or music franchise. It was always a great conversation starter with the kids; there was always at least one fan of whatever shirt he wore that day. But tonight was different. It was his friend’s boss’s birthday party, and some silly Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shirt didn’t feel quite right for the occasion. So… necktie it was.

Patton didn’t live far from the school. Neither did Virgil. That meant he could easily walk to Patton’s place and be at his door within twenty minutes at best. And that’s exactly what he did. He decided to arrive a little later than planned, to mentally prepare for dealing with anyone from his workplace. So the party was supposed to start at 7 p.m., but Virgil got there at 8, just to be safe.

His boss’ apartment was apparently on the sixth floor, but luckily for Virgil, the elevator was working just fine. He stepped inside and looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his hair and necktie. “You’re going to be okay,” he told himself quietly.
When he got off, he knocked on the door with number 32 on it.

To his surprise, someone else opened it. A tall man about his age, also wearing a necktie (jackpot?), looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes?”

Virgil nervously glanced at his phone, where the address was still displayed. “Oh, uh, I was supposed to meet with Patton? Did I get the address wrong, or-”

The man sighed. “No, you’re at the right place. Apologies, please do come in.”

He stepped aside to let Virgil inside, and Virgil took off his shoes.

Before Virgil could do much else, Patton appeared. “Virgil! Oh, it’s so good to see you!” he smiled, but something was…off. His eyes were red, and his hands were shaking. Had he been crying ?

“Hey, Pat,” Virgil returned the smile, though his concern was obvious. “Are you… okay?” he asked carefully.

“Huh? Oh.” Pat grabbed a tissue from the back pocket of his pants and wiped away his tears. “I’m so sorry you have to see me like this when it’s supposed to be a fun night. How embarrassing, gosh.” He took a deep breath. “We… well, I got calls from almost everyone saying they couldn’t make it. It’s… it’s fine. Honestly, I was just about to clean everything up.”

Virgil’s blood boiled. Of course no one showed up. Those fake bitches at work wouldn’t know a decent person if they ran into one. He was not about to go home.
“Clean up? I just got here,” he smiled. “The night’s still young.”

“Virge, I really… I don’t want you to feel like you have to stay—”

“I promise I’m not,” Virgil said softly, resting his hand on Pat’s shoulder. “But first, show me all the snacks you made. I’m starving.”

Patton’s eyes lit up, and for a moment, the familiar, cheerful guy Virgil knew was back.

Still, Patton couldn’t help but notice the quiet look from behind him. “Oh, right! Forgive me, Virgil. This is Logan, my partner in crime.”

Virgil shook Logan’s hand and it was hard not to notice how firm it was.

“The crime in question,” Logan said with a gentle grin, “is eating too many cookies too fast.”

Patton laughed softly, squeezing Logan’s hand. “And we’re both guilty as charged. Now come on, you’ve got to try everything.”

It was already 3 a.m. and everyone was clearly done for the night. Virgil wasn’t ashamed to admit he was pretty drunk, too. But he’d had a great time. Patton and Logan were amazing company. He loved playing Monopoly and Cluedo with them and the snacks Patton made were like ambrosia to his taste buds. They shared a cake and sang happy birthday, drank wine, and eventually settled in the living room to watch Tangled , singing along to the songs.

Eventually the second movie started playing automatically and Virgil noticed everyone was already sleeping except for him. Patton and Logan were curled up together, with Patton softly snoring and mumbling something to himself from time to time. Virgil had decided that it was time to head home before he overstayed his welcome. He got up and, stumbling a bit, made his way to the front door. Leaning against the wall, he slowly lowered himself down and grabbed his shoes, doing his best to put them on. When he stood up, a familiar voice startled him.

“Virgil?” Logan was standing right behind him, watching carefully. Virgil turned to face him, struggling a little to stand steady but trying his best. He even attempted to adjust his necktie.

“Logan, uh… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… wake you.”

“Actually, with my back problems, it wouldn’t be the best option to sleep the whole night in a sitting position anyway,” he said with a tired smile. “Where are you going?” 

“Uh… home?” Virgil said, as if it should be obvious.

“In this condition? I don’t think that’s the best idea,” Logan replied.

“Okay mom, I think I can handle myself, waitsorrythatwasmean-” Virgil leaned forward a bit, and Logan quickly stepped in to steady him before he could fall.

“I didn’t think we had that much to drink,” Logan said, eyeing him with concern.

“Yeah, alcohol and I are not best friends, alright… Damn, I hate this. My boss’s boyfriend has to save me… embarrassing.”

“Not really saving you,” Logan shrugged as he gently guided Virgil toward the guest room. “Just making sure you don’t do anything stupid… like trying to walk out of this apartment.”

He laid him down on the bed and pulled a blanket over him.

“Thanks… man…” Virgil muttered softly, already half asleep.

“Thank you for coming today, Virgil. You have no idea how much it meant to Patton. And to me,” Logan said quietly, before leaving the room.

Virgil gave a tired little smile, eyes barely open. “Tell Pat… he throws a hell of a party.”

Logan chuckled under his breath. “I will. Get some rest.”

He turned off the light and gently closed the door behind him.

Chapter Text

Logan liked mornings best when they were quiet.

No beeping machines, no scattered notes, no racing thoughts about deadlines. Just sunlight through half-closed blinds, the smell of coffee, and Patton still snoring softly beside him. He actually woke up Patton in the middle of the night and gently guided him to their bedroom so they both could get a good rest.

He loved Patton so much.

He hadn’t planned on it. Who really plans for that sort of thing?

Still, a part of him felt like he didn’t quite deserve it.

Not because he was insecure in the usual “not being good enough” way. He was Logan Astoria, after all, an expert in cognitive development and high-stress spatial awareness. He became well known for his important research on how pilots adjust their sense of direction during emergency drills. His work helped make training better for both pilots and astronauts.
That’s why researchers invited Logan to visit one of the most secretive research laboratories in America, hoping he could help solve questions no one else had been able to answer. He found it fascinating to be part of something so closely guarded. He rented an apartment nearby and began visiting more often until eventually he was ready to sign a contract and join the team full time. Logan was thrilled to seek answers alongside so many skilled professionals from diverse fields such as psychology, biology, anthropology, and physics.

And then, completely coincidentally, he also found love. He never really thought about it much; he thought he was okay being on his own. But after meeting Patton, he realized how much he needed that kind of connection. Patton was not his second half, he was his…complement, his motivation to do better every day.

They met on an open day at the laboratory. It was Logan’s first time participating in that kind of event, and he was honestly surprised they held something like that at one of the most secretive places in the country. But he also knew how much they kept hidden from casual visitors. The scientists showed them around, let them touch some half-broken microscopes, explained their work in the most vague terms, and then quickly shooed them out like some unwelcome rats.

Logan didn’t like that, not really. So he signed up to be one of the guides himself, thinking it might be a good way to inspire people, maybe even some kids, to spark their interest in science.
And so he was standing with a group of children. It was clearly a field trip from the nearby school, and besides some bored teachers and semi-interested kids, there was also the principal.
He clearly had done his research in some way, because he knew who Logan was. He did his very best to make the day enjoyable for everyone, including Logan. He encouraged the kids to ask questions, and if they didn’t have any, he would ask some himself, hoping to bring their attention back. He was gentle and considerate, but also consistent and straightforward. If this had not been a real-life situation, Logan would not have believed that such a man actually existed. He was simply wonderful.

So when the principal came up to him during the kids’ lunch break and after asking the teachers to keep an eye on them, Logan couldn’t help but feel a little flustered. It was absolutely ridiculous, he knew that, but he just couldn’t help himself.

“Thank you for being so patient with these children,” the principal said with a sincere smile. “Many people lose their minds after just fifteen minutes around them. I really don’t want them to stop believing in themselves.”

“Are they part of a special education program?” Logan asked, curious.

The principal laughed at the straightforwardness of the scientist, but he didn’t mind. “Well, you could say that. They’re part of a program that helps kids build confidence and social skills. It’s more than just usual education, but also hm…helping them grow as their own person.”

“And… coming to a scientific research lab was supposed to help with that?” Logan looked at him, not quite understanding.

“You’re not just a research lab for physics or chemistry now, are ya? Aren’t you the guy who literally specializes in personal growth?”

“Cognitive development, yes. As I said during the tour, we have been studying how different environments affect learning and behavior and-...I see what you mean.” That made the principal smile.

“They might have seemed like they weren’t paying attention, but I promise you, they appreciated every minute of the tour. Maybe they don’t always know how to show it, but that’s why I’m here. And I just wanted to say thank you.”

The principal’s look was just so gentle that Logan felt as if he had been wrapped in a million hugs while cozy under a blanket with hot cocoa. “Well, I was just doing my job, but I appreciate the reassurance. It was truly an honor to teach those wonderful children something new,” he glanced at his watch and realized he was already late for the next group of visitors. “I’m sorry, I have to go, but it was really nice meeting you, mister…?”

“Ah, no ‘misters’ needed, just good old Patton will do,” the principal said, gesturing as if tipping an invisible hat. “I’ll see you around, Mister Astoria.”

“Just Logan will be satisfactory as well,” he smiled and jokingly returned the invisible hat tip gesture before hurrying toward the group already waiting for him.

And then they started running into each other in various places. It was not on purpose. Patton and Logan both promised they were not some weird stalkers, lurking around to bump into each other. But it was also nearly impossible not to meet again when the school was just a block away from the lab.

So they saw each other again. More often by accident at first. And then at some point on purpose.

Logan was the first to invite Patton to his favorite local coffee shop and Patton loved every second of it. One meet-up turned into two. Two turned into many. Eventually, a year went by and they decided to make their relationship official.

And what happened around that time as well was Logan’s work deciding to show their appreciation for everything he had done so far. Under the terms of a newly signed NDA they finally took him to the only floor in the building he had never been allowed to enter before.

The basement.

That was the moment he met them. The twins. One of them was unstable, full of rage and hatred toward everyone and everything in his line of sight. His hands were bound in restraints made of steel, not just chained but completely enclosed, like some kind of heavy-duty gauntlets, designed to make sure he wouldn’t be able to use them.

And then there was the other one. His mouth was muzzled, silencing any sound he might try to make. He looked down, malnourished and destroyed in every possible way. Both of them did, actually. 

But this twin was different. The first had fire, rage, something wild still burning behind his eyes. But this one just sat there. Still. Resigned. Like a beaten dog who had long stopped expecting kindness. There was no fight left in him. Only silence . Or maybe something even worse. And Logan could not look away.

Logan began his research immediately. He read every single document there was, even the most redacted one. He wanted to know everything. And so he learned that the twins had powers. That they had been in this basement for over 18 years now. Isolated from the world, put under constant stress and torture in the name of science.
They helped in figuring out how the human mind adapts (or fractures) under extreme conditions. How trauma, when repeated and measured, could alter cognition, emotional response and even physical capabilities.

It was horrifying. But it was also revolutionary .

Logan read how their neurological scans broke patterns no one had ever seen. How their brains lit up in ways that defied current models of human behavior. They helped the lab unlock breakthroughs in understanding memory storage, reactive learning, and forced evolution of certain cognitive pathways.

They had, unwillingly, become the foundation for a whole new field of neuroadaptive research.

It was fascinating .
It was mesmerizing.
It was thrilling.
It was…
It was…

This wasn’t right .

Yes, Logan had read about how dangerous they were, but they had been just kids when all the catastrophes happened. Maybe if they had been given a chance back then, under proper guidance, they could have been safely monitored from a distance. Grow up safely and, most importantly, keep their freedom.
This… he couldn’t allow any of this in good conscience. He couldn’t base his research on non-consensual human experiments and torture.

He felt like he was about to throw up.

He had to get out of here.

He needed Patton .

But when he saw him, his partner, his Patton, and knowing he couldn’t tell him any of the things he saw today, it crushed him. Screw the NDA. How could he keep this secret? Two people, two living and breathing human beings, had been held captive for over eighteen years...and yet Logan couldn’t bring himself to say anything. Because he knew that if Patton ever found out, it would break him completely. He would move heaven and earth to free them, even if it meant risking everything and resenting Logan for not doing something when he had the chance to.

And Logan was not ready to lose Patton, not like that. Not when he just admitted how much he loved him.

So when he finally sat down at Patton’s place and the silence between them became suffocating and unbearable, Logan, for the first time in years, cried his heart out. 

Because he didn’t deserve Patton.