I'm so sorry this chapter have been taking forever

Anyways...question

Out of the REQD ship, which ships are your favorite and least favorite

REQD

Demus

Quivan

Revan

Quiet

Damien/Deciet x Quinn x Evan

I'm just curious because I realized how many different ships REQD is actually comprised of

Also, the song The Next Right Thing from Frozen 2 is the perfect song for Deceit and Quinn in the beginning of DLMBG when Quinn gets...ya know, trying not to spoil it too much (so Deceit being the one that sings it)

And I'm really sorry this chapter took so long to finish and publish

And this is only half of this chapter, I decided to split it into two parts so I could publish something, so just give me a couple more days to finish the second part

TRIGGER WARNINGS : some angst, talks about the frickle frackle with the cream cheese bagels

Virgil POV
I stared up at the dork building with terror in my heart.  I'm not excited to live in a dorm.  I'm not excited to start college.  And moving in is solidifying the fact that this is actually happening. 

"Isn't this amazing Virgil?"  Roman asked excitedly, bouncing up and down next to me. 

"No,"  I mumbled. 

"Come now Virgil,"  Roman said, wrapping his arm around my waist.  "It'll be so much fun!"

"Or terrifying,"  I added. 

"It won't be that bad,"  He promised.  "Now c'mon, lets go check out our dorm."

True to Roman's word, his parents were able to pull strings with the college board and the RA and now Roman and I get to stay in the same dorm room.  Which helps a lot with my horrible anxiety over going to college.

I sighed and followed Roman into the dorm and to the front desk.  He talked to someone at a desk with a bunch of keys.  She handed Roman two keys and then Roman turned back to me with a smile. 

He jingled the two meets in front of my face and then picked his bags back up.  I followed Roman up the stairs to the third floor.  Good exercise even thought I'm out of breath just after walking up two flights of stairs.

Roman unlocked the door and opened it.  He stepped into the room first, then returning to help me with all our bags. 

I stepped into the room, almost instantly feeling how cramped it is.  This makes me even more glad that I'm staying with Roman.  I couldn't handle staying in suck a small space with a complete stranger. 

The room had three windows on the back wall, two beds on either side.  Two desks with a mini fridge between them on the back wall.  There was a little three foot or so hallway from the door to the room with two closets facing towards the room. 

"I think we can make this work,"  Roman said, looking around the room with me. 

"Hopefully,"  I mumbled.  "But we're setting up ground rules."

"Probably a good idea,"  Roman agreed.  He walked over to one of the beds and looked suspiciously at a stain on the bottom.  "For starts, we're sharing the cleanest looking mattress."

"Sure,"  I said.  "I think the biggest one is that you're not going to through any parties in here."

"I wouldn't dream of it Virgie,"  Roman promised.

"And don't call me that,"  I told him. 

"Fine,"  Roman sighed.  "And I want you to be comfortable here but promise me that you won't shut me out."

"I'll try,"  I promised.  We're going to watch out for each other. 

"I think that's enough for now,"  Roman said, pulling me in for a hug.  "Now how can I make you more comfortable here."

I hugged Roman back tightly, rested my head against his chest.  I thought for a few moments, looking around the small room.

"Decorate,"  I answered. 

~~~~Le mAGiCaL tiMe sKiP~~~~~

An hour later, Roman and I stood near the door and looked at our finished dorm room.  I'm pretty proud of how the room looks now.  It's a good blend of Roman and I's likes.

The walls were covered in musical and band posters.  Purple, red and white fairy lights strung along the walls.  A gay pride flag hung above the empty bed.  Roman's big fluffy comforter on the bed along with our pillows.  A little TV set up on the unused bed, somehow Roman got it to work.  All our books and college stuff on the desks, along with some plants Roman bought.  A red rug on the floor and light purple curtains. 

I college might be better than I think.  Maybe this won't be as bad as I originally thought.

~~~magical time skip to the end of college freshman year~~~~

I slammed my head repeatedly into my desk.  I hate college.  I hate life.  I hate past me.  I hate everything.  Except Roman.

I have a week till the end of this school year, then a break, then I start my sophomore year of college.  I'm happy I decided to major in English because it has become an easy subject for me.  Maybe I'll write stories when I graduate.

But first I have get through exams.  I still have all my other subjects like science and math to study for too.  It's all ridiculous.  College is ridiculous and extremely stressful. 

I grabbed my phone and earbuds.  I turned on some music, settling on Body by Mother Mother.  It's a good loud song that drowns out everything else.

I didn't notice nor hear when Roman entered the room.  I jumped in surprise when he laid a hand on my shoulder.  I pulled out the earbuds and laid my head against Roman's torso.

"Doing okay?"  Roman asked, pulling off my beanie and running a hand through my hair. 

"Yeah, you?"  I answered. 

"I'm okay Virge,"  He told me.  "I just hate exams."

"Sit down, we need to keep studying,"  I sighed.  I picked up my big English textbook for probably the hundredth time today. 

Roman sighed and shoved the food he bought at the store into the mini fridge.  It was just an excuse for him to get away from school and studying. 

"We're having ramen,"  He told me.  "Again..."

"Not surprised,"  I sighed, frantically scribbling down notes. 

"Can you help me run lines?"  Roman asked again.  "The exam is a scene out of a musical."

"Which musical?"  I asked.

"The Trail to Oregon,"  Roman sighed. 

"Isn't that a video game?"  I questioned.

"It's a musical,"  He explained.  "A very low budget ridiculous movie.  It's funny at least.  There's a horny ox."

"I'm not even going to ask,"  I mumbled after staring at Roman in confusion for a while.  

"Help me run lines?"  He pleaded with puppy dog eyes. 

"Fine,"  I sighed.  "Kisses first."

Roman smirked and gave me a kiss. I kissed back for a while until we pulled apart. And the Roman shoved the script into my hand.

~~~magical time skip~~~~

"Are you ready to see it?" Roman asked me excitedly.

"I've already seen it," I sighed, trying to pull Roman's hands off my eyes.

"Yeah, but just the outside and not the inside with all the furniture," Roman whined. "Now please, just humor me at least."

"Only because I love you," I grumbled.

Roman giggled excitedly and pushed me down the hallway of our new apartment building. Even though money is a little tight because of college debt, Roman still has enough money to buy us a decent apartment.

I got a job at the local library. An actual job. And it's absolute hell. I have to be nice and friendly to the patrons. I have to shelve books and DVDs all day. And I have work right after my classes so my only free time is night time and that's when I'm supposed to be sleeping.

Roman has started working at broadway. He's that good and he's only a college sophomore. I don't how he can do it. Even if he's just in the ensemble, getting to act on broadway at his age is amazing.

I heard a door open and then was pushed into a room. The air here felt nice and cool against the warm summer air.

"Okay, open your eyes," Roman said excitedly, pulling his hands off my eyes.  I gasped in shock. 

The apartment wasn't the best but it was still amazing.  There was a little hallway with the kitchen on the other side.  There was a winding metal staircase in the corner by the breakfast bar that led up to a loft. The living room wasn't hug but there was enough space for a good sized couch, a fireplace and a large tv above said fireplace. A sliding glass door led to a balcony overlooking the street. Past the metal staircase was a hallway with a bathroom and the bedroom.

"Roman...this is amazing," I said with a smile. I turned back to him excitedly. "This is literally our house."

Roman darted over to me and pulled me in for a passionate kiss. For a while we just stayed like that, kissing and hugging. 

"I'm glad you like it,"  Roman breathed when we pulled apart.  "Now, let me cook you an amazing dinner that isn't ramen."

I laughed at that and took a step away from Roman and then into the kitchen.  It was really nice.  Roman has already decorated the apartment with all our things, getting stuff from his house, my old house, and our dorm.  Until Roman was done, we were literally just living in an empty dorm room. 

The kitchen was mostly grey and white with lots of stainless steel and dark marble countertops.  Roman bypassed me and started pulling pots out of a cupboard.

"Is chicken parmesan okay?"  Roman asked.

"That'd be nice,"  I nodded with a smile. 

"Alfredo or tomato sauce?"  He asked next. 

"Hmmm,"  I mumbled.  "I think tomato sauce goes better with chicken parmesan."

"Agreed,"  Roman said.  "I'll prepare dinner and you explore the apartment.  I don't know where your cat went, she doesn't seem to like this place."

"Cats don't typically like moves,"  I mumbled.  "Luna!"  I called her, snapping my fingers.

I looked around the living room but there wasn't much. There were plants and pictures of us and our friends on the shelf next to the fireplace. I headed into the bedroom and gasped.

My piano was there...and if looks completely fixed up. The broken keys were back in place and all the broken wood was fixed and clean. But I know it's my piano because I carved my initials along the key cover. Also I painted little storm clouds on the sides.

Luna was curled up on the bed. She didn't look too happy. There were some posters along the walls with purple, red and white fairy lights. A gay pride flag hung in the corner.

I smiled and gave Luna and few pets. She growled when I touched her. I sighed and then walked back over to the piano. I played the keys that didn't work before but they all sounded beautiful.

Suddenly so much happiness filled me. This is freedom. I'm an adult, living with my boyfriend and our cat. This is our apartment that we live in by ourselves. We both have steady jobs and we're both passing college.

I never expected this to happen. I don't think any of this could have happened without Roman. I don't know how he loves me but I'm so thankful he does. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him.

I left the bedroom and went straight to Roman. I hugged him tightly, burying my face in his chest. I didn't even register when I started crying. But it was happy cries.

"Woah, Virge," Roman rambled, his eyes wide with worry and shock. "What happened? Do you not like it? Do you hate it, I'm sorry, I can fix whatever's upsetting you."

"No, Roman, this is amazing," I told him, pulling away enough so that I could look up at him. "All of this...it's making me so happy. This is literally the best thing. This is our house and I'm free and safe here and everything in here is just amazing. And you're absolutely amazing and oh my geesus I love you so much."

"Oh thank god, I thought you hated it," Roman breathed a sigh of relief. 

"I love it,"  I assured him, giving him a kiss.  "I love you."

"Love you too Virgil,"  Roman said with a smile.  "Now, be my guest, I'm sure you'll love dinner."  And with they, Roman proceeded to sing Be Our Guest while serving me dinner.

~•~

I awoke slowly, my eyes opening to darkness.  It's still nighttime.  I moved my hand to where Roman should've been but he wasn't there. The space was cold.

I pushed myself up out of worry and looked to the clock on the nightstand. It was almost four in the morning. Neither of us have to be awake this early for school.

Fear struck through my heart at a painful pace. I got out of bed and tip toed over to the door. I peeked out to see the light in the kitchen on.

I headed quickly to the kitchen. Roman was standing at the counter, a glass of water in front of him. Tears were rolling down his cheeks at a quick pace. He was standing there in just his boxers.

"Ro," I said gently, quickly walking over to him.

Roman jolted in surprise and tried to quickly wipe away his tears. I stopped next to him and pulled Roman into my arms, which was difficult since I'm shorter than him.

"Roman, tell me what's wrong," I told him, running a hand through his hair and rubbing his back with the other.

"I'm a terrible actor," Roman sobbed. "I'm
not as good as I think I am. I'm barely good enough to be in the ensemble, all the practices are stacking up and I barley have time for both school and practice. I'm not good enough anymore."

"That's not true," I said sternly. "Roman you are the best actor out there on that stage. I watch you perform up there on those stages and you're the best out there. You put so much more feeling and emotion than all those other actors. Besides, this is your first year on broadway. You'll get used to the practices and then you'll hit your big break."

"You really think so?" He sniffled, his face scrunched up in an adorable way.

"I know so," I promised, pressing a kiss to his nose and gently wiped his tears away. "Just give it time. Before you know it, you're going to be famous."

"Thank you Virgil," Roman muffled, laying his forehead against mine.

"Love you Ro," I gave him another kiss. "Just keep holding on, you'll get your big break eventually."

~~~time skip to senior year of college~~~

I was sitting peacefully in the bedroom, reading a book for my English class. I couldn't be more happy about this being my last year of college.

I have a good writing gig with a well known publisher after Roman managed to convince them to read some of my short stories. And it was shocking to get the call saying that they would edit and publish any books I might write.

My first book only has about one chapter and a million possible ideas I want to put in it. I'm calling it Tales From Fox Forest. It's an Alice in Wonderland style story about a teenager boy with a lot of internalized homophobia, but he gets sucked into this fantasy world that's the setting of his favorite book.

I think I'll doo murder mysteries and horror stories too. Maybe become the next Stephen King. But I don't think I'll ever be that good.

Suddenly the bedroom door slammed open and Roman was standing their with a large smile. In his hand was a large packet of paper and a little pamphlet.

"Virgil!" Roman squealed excitedly. "It happened! I got my big break!"

"Oh my god Ro, are you serious?" I asked, quickly dropping what I was doing. I hopped up and ran over to him.

"Yes! This director, Alfred Hitchcoppolucas, approached me after practice and told me he's working with Disney to start creating The Greated Showman, The Musical!" Roman practically yelled in happiness.

"Holy shit that's amazing!" I yelled. "What part does he want you to play?"

"The lead!" Roman screamed with the happiest look on his face. "He wants me to play P.T. Barnum."

"Ew a straight guy," I couldn't help but laugh. Roman laughed along with me but then picked me up and spun me around. "I'm so happy for you Roman. This is absolutely amazing."

I pulled Roman in for a kiss and I made sure to kiss every inch of his face. It made me so happy to see Roman happy like this.

"I'm so proud of you Roman," I whispered. "I love you so much."

~•~

Graduation came and gone quicker than I ever thought. I'm twenty two now and Roman's twenty three. Life is good.

Money is a little right because of college debt but it's nothing that's not manageable. I published my first book, Tales From Fox Forest, and it actually didn't amazing. Roman's acting career is amazing and he's literally famous now. The musical is doing great and they're currently planning a tour.

I stared out the car window at the mountains. Roman said he wanted to spend time, just the two of us, before the musical tour. I plan on going with him, but the thought of moving around the much and being that social always causes me panic attacks. Even my weekly therapy sessions aren't helping to calm my nerves.

Roman probably noticed I was stressing and planned this trip for us. Spending a week in the Appalachian mountains, just the two of us. We spend most of our time together, people joke we're attached by the hip. But Roman said this would be a week for just us to relax, no theater, no work, no writing, and as little stress as possible.

I couldn't count the amount of times Roman would just skip classes or leave them randomly to help me. Now he even does it with musical practices since he's the lead and the directors favorite. And I couldn't count the times I've helped him with his breakdowns and shown up randomly at his practices just because something felt off. Literally every time I'd show up randomly, Roman was stressed or upset about something.

"Something on your mind baby?" Roman asked, slipping his hand into mine. "You've been awful quite the entire car ride and this is an almost fifteen hour drive."

For some reason, Roman wanted to drive. He wanted to make the car ride to be fun and he planned lots of little fun tourist attraction stops along the way.

"Just thinking," I mumbled.

"About what?" He asked.

"Life, you, me, home, work," I mumbled. "Just everything. I'm happy and life is going good. It's just hard to think about how everything is nice now but high school was so horrible. I was ready to just kill myself if anything went to wrong. I had so many issues, especially with my father. And then you walked into my life and made everything better. You saved my life multiple times and now I'm so happy. I'm not completely healed and I probably won't ever be completely fixed and free of all my shit but I never imaged getting here. Being here with you, hell just being alive. Life got better. I love you."

"Aw Virgil your gonna make me cry," Roman cooed. "I love you too baby. I'm glad I saved you. I can't imagine being with anybody else."

I raised our joined hands and pressed a kiss to the back of Roman's hand. I wish I could've leaned against him but we were in a car. But I still couldn't be happier.

~•~

Turns out, I can be happier. It's three days into our vacation in the mountains. We've been visiting all these waterfalls and hiking trails.

I'm not stressed at all. Roman just makes me feel happy and at ease. Currently I was sitting on the couch in our bedroom confused. It's almost midnight and the only lights on are candles. I have the light on in here to read but I'm not allowed downstairs yet.

Roman told me to sit here and wait because he has a surprise for me. I'm a little nervous, but mostly I'm just happy and excited. I trust Roman.

"Virgil dearest, the surprise is ready!" Roman yelled from downstairs.

I sat my book down and turned off the light. I headed to the door and opened it. I was instantly greeted with a path of rose petals with fake candles along the wall.

I gasped in shock. I may be an idiot but I think I know where this is going. I hope this is going where I want it to.

This did make me a little nervous but I still headed down the hallway. I paused in the foyer that overlooked the living room. The trail of rose petals led across the living and over to and out the open back door.

I gulped out of nervousness. This has to be what I think this is. Or maybe it's just a romantic date and I'm getting my hopes up. But I can still hope.

Practically running down the stairs, I headed to the back door. I paused there and looked out at Roman. He was standing on the deck with a large bouquet of red and purple roses.

"Hey," Was all I could mumble.

"Hey," Roman echoed with a laugh.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Come here honey," Roman said gently, holding a hand out to me.

I walked over almost instantly, slipping my hand into Roman's. My heart was pounding and there was a little bit of nervousness in Roman's eyes.  Then he started talking.

"I love you so much.  I can't explain to you how deeply I am in love with you.  I am madly in love with you and everything about you.  Your smirk, your laugh, your gentle smiles you make when you think no one is looking.  The little kisses you give me.  The way you hold onto me in the night, pulling me in closer to you whenever you get scared.  The way you comfort me when I'm down and how you aren't afraid to let me see the real you.  The precious, adorable you behind all the eyeshadow, pessimistic attitude, and emo clothing.  The way you are soft.  They way your are just as brave as I am, even more so sometimes.  The way you let me hold you in my arms when you break.  These are all the reasons I am so passionately in love with you.  You are the one I want to wake up to every morning and fall asleep next to every night.  You're the only one I can imagine spending the rest of my life with.  It's you and only you, my love."  Roman took a deep breath after that and I was almost in tears. 

Then Roman placed the flowers on the little table next to us and got down on one knee.  I let out a little chocked sob of happiness.  He pulled a ring box from his jacket and opened it to show a beautiful silver ring with a little white diamond in the middle. 

"Virgil Pierce,"  Roman started after taking another deep breath.  "Will you marry me?"

"Holy fucking shit, yes, of course, yes,"  I rambled.  "Yes."

I threw myself into Roman's arms and started sobbing with happiness.  I can explain the pure feeling of bliss and happiness in my heart. 

Roman kissed me passionately multiple times, now crying from happiness too.  We pulled apart enough so that Roman could slip the engagement ring onto my finger. 

I couldn't stop looking between the beautiful ring and Roman's beautiful face.   We collapsed together onto the deck floor, just holding each other and kissing.

"I love you so fucking much Roman,"  I told him.  "Of course I'll marry you."

"So you're okay with putting Virgil King on all your books now?"  Roman asked with an awkward smile.

"Fuck yes,"  I laughed.  "Pierce was nice and emo, but I'd rather your last name.  It feels more real that way.  I'd rather let go of that part of my past."

"If that's what makes you happy,"  Roman said, pressing a kiss to my cheek. 

"You're amazing, you know that right?"  I asked him, cupping his face in mine and pressing kisses all over his face.

"No you,"  He laughed, putting his hands on my hips.  I wrapped my arms around Roman's shoulders and just kissed him. 

I rubbed the ring with my other hand and then buried my hand in Roman's hair.  Roman's hands moved around my waist and back, one eventually sliding down to my ass.  He's getting horny and I quickly put a stop to that. 

"Okay,"  I mumbled, pulling away a bit.  Both of us were breathing heavily.  "I don't feel like loosing my virginity in a rental cabin,"  I couldn't help but pause to laugh.  "You can fuck me when we get home but I don't want to have sex here."

"That's understandable,"  Roman sighed, resting his hands on my thighs.  "I don't want to think about how many people have had sex in that bed up there."

"Why'd you bring that up?"  I cringed, resting my forehead against his.

"Sorry,"  He laughed, but then he paused a bit before starting to kiss at my neck.  "Can I at least give you some hickies?"

"Yeah,"  I breathed right before Roman sunk his teeth into my neck. 

I closed my eyes and just let myself get lost in the amazing feeling of Roman kissing and biting at and sucking on my neck.  I'm sensitive there and it felt amazing.  I couldn't help but let a few moans slip out, teasing Roman a bit but it just felt so nice. 

"Let's take a nice warm shower and just cuddle,"  Roman suggested once he was satisfied.  I nodded and let Roman sweep me into his arms.

He carried me up to the bathroom and then left to turn off all the candles.  I started the shower and pulled off my hoodie and shirt.  I don't think I should shower with the ring on but I honestly don't want to take it off.

We've seen each other naked and this wouldn't be the first time we showered together.  Showering together really just consists of having whole concerts in the shower and using the bubbles from the shampoo to style our hair.  Nothing sexual, but maybe that'll change once we get back home.

Roman returned and gave me a kiss right away.  His hand slipped into mine and I felt him run his fingers over the ring.  This is the best kind of happiness.  Roman and I are going to get married.

~•~

Roman and I were laying in the bed naked, for no real reason.  We decided to put one of our blankets down over the sheets and then used a bigger blanket as a comforter. 

Roman's realization after the proposal kinda gave us a fear of the sheets.  Even though this is a very nice and expensive cabin in the mountains.  My anxiety didn't want to trust it.

I'm comfortable with Roman and naked cuddles after a shower aren't unusual.  Roman likes spending this time just looking me over, making sure I'm not cutting or too skinny.  Kissing every self harm scar he finds.  Cooing and praising me and just being overall bring in an extremely loving mood.

"I love you,"  Roman mumbled randomly.

"Love you more,"  I whispered back. 

"Impossible,"  He laughed. 

"Love you,"  I giggled, a little high off love right now.  I couldn't stop looking at the engagement ring on my finger.   We're getting married. 

Roman moved from where he was resting his head on my stomach to hold me in his arms.  We stayed like that for a while before eventually drifted off the sleep. 

I can't explain how happy I am.  I love Roman so much and he's made me the happiest person on this planet.  I can't thank him enough for that.  And I can't wait to get married to him.

~~~~to be continued~~~~