TW: Implications of an eating disorder, implications of potential abuse, sad trio,

A/N- This chapter is super short, but it gets the story across. Also, if you notice chapter 8 is posted twice, that's because of a viewing issue on my end. I don't know which version you're seeing, if you're seeing any, if you're seeing both. So yeah, ima just leave it like that.

The trio found themselves at Janus' house. No one was home, and they love the snakes. They all currently have a large boa constrictor wrapped around them. To most, it looked like the snake was trying to eat them. But, they knew that it was cuddling them. It senses when they're upset, then rallies them up for cuddles. The three loved Janus' snakes. The three were currently comforting each other, the boa constrictor tying them together. Logan was in the middle, since engaging in cuddles and affection is difficult for him. Roman and Janus were laying their heads on his shoulders.

Janus spoke up, "Roman...are you sure you aren't hungry...?" The other two were eating a sandwich they grabbed.

Roman hummed, "Mhm, 'm fine, thanks."

Logan spoke up, "You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm not hungry."

See, when Roman says he's not hungry, he means it. The only thing is, he "hasn't been hungry" for 5 months. But nobody knows that.

Janus swallowed his bite, "So...what are we gonna do about those guys? Patton doesn't seem the type to give up, and Remus is your brother. He knows something's up."

Roman sighed, "Weather Remus is onto something, or not, he doesn't care about me enough to investigate. And we can wear Patton down."

Logan thought, "Should we, though...? If we let them know that something's wrong, then maybe...they can help...?"

Roman shook his head, "No way. For starters, our parents have public favor, getting Remus and his friends involved could put them in danger. Second of all...nothing's wrong...life is a little stressful, but that's just how it is..."

Janus huffed, "The ways our families treat us isn't right. They're hurting us. But it's not physically, so even if they were exposed, nothing would happen."

"And I don't wanna risk them getting violent. My parents have come scarily close to hitting us, before. I don't wanna irritate them," Roman muttered.

Logan sighed, "I'll have to agree...none of our families hold their tempers with us, we shouldn't make our situations worse. And it's highly unlikely anyone would believe us..."

The three sighed, their hopes for the future sinking low...the snake securing them together as they fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~

"Agh!" Virgil kicked the ground, "Why are they such jerks!"

Remus turned to his psychologist friend, "Well, Emile. There. You met my brother."

Emile frowned, "What is Roman's home life like?"

Remus shrugged, "What do you expect? He's worshiped and spoiled."

"Then, why does he feel the need to be so defensive?"

"He loves his pride."

Remy frowned, "I honestly don't care what their home life is like. There's no excuse for how he treats you."

Patton desperately wanted to help these boys, "They're scared. With parents as powerful as theirs, who wouldn't be?"

Remy rolled his eyes, "Whatever. Let's go, gurlz," Remy walked out, Emile and Remus following.

As Remus was leaving, he said to the two remaining, "My brother can be a lot, but keep an eye on him at school. I will at home. Something just isn't right."

Then, he left.