If at any point in this story you start to feel triggered or overwhelmed, please stop reading.  Don't force yourself to continue - be kind to yourself <3

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Point of View: Roman, First Person
Timeline: Present Day

I sheepishly crept out of the bathroom and peeked into the living room to see that Virgil hadn't moved from his place on the couch.  Phew.  He appeared to be sleeping soundly enough.  I smiled softly at my soulmate, instead heading into the kitchen to take out the third cake out of the oven and start working on the glaze.

It's not that I didn't want Virgil to know that we were soulmates.  It was just that I wanted to wait for his 25th birthday in December - next month.  I wanted him to have that moment, the mystery, the excitement when he realizes -

"Ro? What are you doing?"

I jumped, startled and spinning to see Virgil standing at the door again.  He had discarded the blanket, leaving him in his usual purple patchwork hoodie.  He blinked sleepily at me, yawning a bit as he leaned against the doorway.

Adorable.

"Hey, Virge," I smiled, opening the oven, slipping on some oven mittens.  "I thought you were taking a nap?"

Virgil shook his head, digging his hands deep into his pockets.  "Nightmares," he explained - yawning once more.

I frowned, sympathetically before turning and setting the third cake carefully on the stovetop, and then transfering it onto a drying rack.  "You wanna help me with the cake?" I offered.  "I'm about to work on the glaze," I commented, opening the fridge to make room for the third and final cake.

Virgil shook his head, but sat down at the table.  "I would only mess everything up."

"It's easier than it looks," I encouraged.

Virgil still declined.  "Don't mind keep you company though," he countered, settling down at the table.

I smiled, hating the way my cheeks flushed a little at that.  Virgil wanted to hang out with me.  Me.  I mean, granted it wasn't like he had many options, but still.

"Okay," I said, closing the fridge after placing the cake inside, thinking out loud.  "I got the cakes in the fridge, and while they are cooling I'll make this to keep myself busy - uh, to save time, I mean," I winced a little at my slip but Virgil looked like he was too tired to notice, eyes already half-lidded and leaning dangerously forward.

I ignored the small, self part of me that wanted him to notice that I wasn't okay and instead set the ingredients for the glaze down.  I snuck back into the living room, grabbing Virgil's discarded fuzzy purple blanket and bringing it back to the kitchen.

"Duerme, alma gemela," I murmured, draping the blanket carefully over his shoulders.  Sleep, my soulmate.  I softly ran my hands through his hair, brushing his bangs away from his face only for them to fall back into place.  Virgil let out a small hum in response, eyes already closed and using his arms as a makeshift pillow. 

"Dulces sueños." Sweet dreams.

"What... hmm... what's that mean, Princey?" Virgil mumbled sleepily, slurring his words a bit.

I forced a laugh, looking on my phone to double-check the directions for the glaze.  "It means get to sleep, you idiot."

"Hmm, don't think that's what it means..."

"Of course it does, now get some sleep, alma gemela."

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