TW: Implied/Referenced Rape (it's at the very end)

They stared at each other for a moment, both unsure of what to do.

Oh god, they all knew he had been staring. That was absolutely mortifying. What should he do? Run away? That would probably make the situation worse. Maybe pretend he was zoning out? Would that work? 

They were all looking at him expectantly, as if waiting for him to make a move. Seriously? They expected him, the loner of Vine Academy, to be the one to make the first move?! 

Fine.

Virgil stood up, trying to not let his nerves show on his face. The boy with the emerald eyes’ looks surprised, and he quickly whispered something to his friends.

Virgil slowly walked over, praying to God that he looks somewhat decent.

All of a sudden, the boy’s friends were all moving. Patton Libum rested his arm on the table, the boy’s twin brother straddled his chair, and Janus Orm lied down on the floor. 

Virgil blanched. Was this a defense technique? Were they trying to scare him away? No. No way. He didn’t come this far just to stop now.

He pressed onward, and didn’t stop until he was right in front of the boy. 

“--be scared.” Janus Orm was saying. 

“Uh, hi.” Virgil greeted, and internally celebrated when his voice didn’t crack.

The boy looked over at him in surprise, and Virgil felt his breath catch in his throat.

He was even more stunning up close, flawless skin and hair that looked soft to the touch. He had a slight flush to his skin, which was lightly freckled. Not a blemish in sight, a sign of good skincare. 

“Hi!” The boy grinned at him. “Can you help me? I mean--Shit!” He went red, eyes widening. “Can I help you?” He finished awkwardly. 

Oh god, was Virgil intimidating him? Why was he so nervous? 

Maybe he heard one of the nasty rumors about him?

Virgil wanted to curl up in a ball and die right then and there, but it was too late to back down now.

“I just, uh, noticed you were new. So, I wanted to introduce myself.” Virgil stammered out. Yeah. That was definitely the reason. Not because he thought that running away after being caught staring was infinitely worse. 

“You didn’t bother introducing yourself when I was new.” Janus Orm crossed his arms, shooting Virgil a nasty glare. 

Virgil felt himself scowl. What the hell was his deal? “Fuck off.” He sneered.

He froze, remembering himself. He looked back at the green-eyed boy, who was staring at him in shock. Oh god. Oh dear god. He just cussed at one of the boy’s friends. Kill him now. 

“Shit--sorry.” He quickly apologized. “That was, uh, rude.” He laughed awkwardly, wishing he could crawl into a hole and cry himself to death. 

Oh god. Has he even introduced himself yet?! What the fuck was he doing?!

He quickly held out his hand for a handshake, praying he didn’t look too pathetic. “I’m Virgil. Virgil Pryder.”

WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!

Why did he introduce himself like that?! Who did he think he was?! James Bond?! Oh god, the boy was going to hate him now and he would be alone forever and he would die in his house surrounded by forty cats--

The boy’s hand slipped effortlessly into his.

“Roman.” He introduced himself, giving an awkward grin. 

Virgil felt like his heart exploded in his chest. What was he thinking about just now? He didn’t even remember. 

“Roman…?” Virgil prompted, tilting his head to the side. God, his name tasted like sugar on his tongue.

“Prince.” 

Of course, his last name was Prince. It was perfect. He was Virgil’s prince charming. It was like the universe had finally answered his prayers. 

“Well, Roman Prince.” Virgil grinned, a surge of confidence going through him. He leaned in to whisper something in Roman’s ear. 

“I sincerely hope we’ll be seeing more of each other.” 

WHAT.

WHAT. 

What on earth possessed him to say that?! That didn’t even make any sense! What did that even imply?! He was supposed to say something cool, not absolutely cringeworthy and creepy.

Roman blushed as Virgil pulled away, keeping a confident expression on his face so he could pretend he didn’t just embarrass himself. 

He scurried back to his table so he could process what just happened. 

---

Virgil stared at the Roman’s back during their sixth period.

Roman. God, he loved that name so much. It suited him so well.

What did Roman think of him, he wondered. Has he made a good impression? He hoped so.

He wanted to know more about him. It was selfish, but it was true. He wanted to know everything about Roman Prince. 

He paused. Was that creepy? Probably.

He pulled out a piece of paper, quickly scribbling down a note. 

Hey,
I wanna get to know you better. 
How much begging would it take for you to give me your number? 

- V. Pryder

How did that sound? Did that sound cool? Did he misspell anything? He didn’t sound like a douchebag, did he?

Whatever. He needed to stop overthinking.

He folded the piece of paper, scribbled Roman’s name on the front, and passed it to the person in front of him. 

He felt his heart drop the second it left his hands.

What if Roman thought he was weird? What if he thought he was creepy?! Were notes even cute anymore?! Was this considered harassment?! 

Roman opened the note, eyes widening and a flush taking over his face. He looked back at Virgil, and their eyes met. 

Virgil tried to appear calm, when he was anything but. What was Roman thinking? Did he hate him now? 

Roman laughed quietly, before pulling out his own piece of paper. 

Virgil’s eyes widened. 

Oh.

When the note reached him, he opened it a bit too hastily, and the guy next to him gave him a weird look. He ignored the guy, soaking in the words on the paper.

Oh? And why would Virgil Pryder himself want my number?

- Ro. Prince

Oh god. He had heard of Virgil. What had he heard? Who did he hear it from? Was it Janus Orm? He begged the universe that it wasn’t Janus Orm. 

He forced a smile on his face, so as to not alarm Roman. After all, what if he didn’t hear any rumors? He would think Virgil is a freak.

He took a deep breath, before writing his reply.

So you’ve heard of me!
Should I be scared of the things you’ve heard?

- V. Pryder

He meant for it to be playful in tone, but he was also genuinely asking. There were an unbelievable amount of rumors circulating about Virgil. From being associated with the mafia to having been to prison. It was honestly getting ridiculous. 

Roman chuckled upon receiving the note. 

Nah, I only heard that you're a pretty boy.

- Ro. Prince

Virgil let out a small breath of relief, raising an eyebrow and giving Roman a playful smirk. 

He thought for a second about what he wanted to reply with. 

Well? Are the rumors true?

- V. Pryder

He was flushing before the note even made it to Roman. Why did he ask that? That was so embarrassing. Again, though, he also really wanted to know what Roman thought of him. 

Roman didn’t really react to the note, just staring at it for a moment. He picked up his pencil to write a reply. 

Then, another note came to Roman from his left, causing his brows to furrow in confusion. 

Virgil tilted his head, curious as to who that note was from. 

Whatever was written on the note was irritating, based on the way Roman’s face scrunched up. The green-eyed boy shot a glare towards Logan Berry, who looked wildly unimpressed.

Virgil snickered, causing Roman to glance at him.

Roman smirked, writing one last note.

Whatever. We all know I’m the hotter one ;)

- Ro. Prince

Virgil’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. 

That wasn’t what he was expecting. Most people would just say something about Virgil’s appearance. Something like ‘the rumors don’t do you justice’ or ‘the rumors are so true, it’s impressive.’ 

Never in his life has someone complimented themself instead. 

Virgil knew it. Roman was different. Roman was special.

He laughed quietly in relief.

---

Virgil quickly walked up to Roman after class. “You never answered my question.” He told him, a bit giddy. “How much begging would it take for you to give me your number?” 

Roman tilted his head, as if thinking. “Not much.” He shrugged, giving Virgil an easy smile. “I’m not very stubborn.” 

Virgil’s grin widened. “Good.” He told him. “I can’t stand stubborn people.” 

Stubborn people, like his father or mother. Stubborn people, like the sex-crazed freaks who refused to take no as an answer. 

Stubborn people, like himself.

He couldn’t stand people like that.

“Then you’d probably hate my brother.” Roman chuckled, the sound angelic in Virgil’s ears. “He’s the most stubborn person I know.” 

“Do you get along with your brother?” Virgil asked. Would he get along with someone like me?

“Unfortunately.” Roman rolled his eyes playfully.

“Perfect.” Virgil’s shoulders sagged a little in relief. “You’re exactly my type.” He said before he could stop himself. 

Roman and Virgil flushed in unison. 

Okay, now why the fuck would he say that? That was the most mortifying thing to happen to him in his entire life. Well, there was no going back, so he might as well pretend he meant to say that.

“R-Really?” Roman stammered, glancing away, his expression a mixture of confused and flustered.

Virgil melted a little, absolutely adoring the expression on his face. “I’ve seen a lot of people come here, Princey.” Virgil told him, the nickname slipping out without a second thought. “And you’re the only one who’s gained my attention.”

Roman’s eyes widened, his face turning even redder. “I-Is that a good thing?” 

“Definitely.” Virgil nodded, feeling a dumb smile spread across his face. 

He felt so alive when he talked to Roman. He felt like the two of them were the only people in the world. It hadn’t even been a week since they met, and yet he could already tell that he was falling in love.

“Can I be perfectly honest?” He asked softly, feeling his heart swell. 

“Sure.” Roman gave him a smile.

“Out of all the people in the school…” Virgil chuckled as he looked around at the sea of faces that flooded the hallway. 

None of them had what Roman did. He didn’t know how to explain it. 

"You’re definitely the most attractive.” Virgil told him, and meant every word.

Roman looked shocked, staring at Virgil in disbelief. “Y-You’re just saying that.” He said breathlessly, waving it off.

Virgil grinned. He was so cute. “Am I?” He asked.

Then he turned, walking away before Roman could see the embarrassing shade of crimson that his face went.

Virgil hummed to himself, absolutely elated. The universe was finally giving him a chance to be happy, after the years of suffering it subjected him to. He was immensely thankful for it. 

“Well, I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time, Pryder.” 

Virgil froze, his joy draining out of him immediately. 

Janus Orm was stood there, staring at Virgil blankly. His arms were crossed, eyebrows furrowed.

“...what do you want, Orm?” He croaked weakly. 

“I want you to stay away from my fucking friend.” Janus sneered. “I’m not going to let you use him.”

“Use him?” Virgil blanched at the thought. “I would never--!"

“Oh, please, it’s common knowledge that you’re a slut.” Janus spat, stepping closer. “We all know you’ve slept with every member of the football team.” 

Virgil’s expression darkened at the memory. 

He hadn’t slept with the football team.

The football team had slept with him.

“That--” He shuddered, voice choking up.

“Oh, and what about Dennis Troper, hm?” Janus tilted his head. “Rumor has it you sucked him off behind the bleachers during the baseball game.”

That one wasn’t even true. Dennis Troper, the star player of the baseball team, had just been sick that day. 

“I--” He grit his teeth.

“Like mother like son, I guess.” Janus stopped right in front of Virgil.

Virgil’s eyes widened at that, before he placed a carefully neutral expression on his face. “What’s your point?” He asked flatly. He smiled bitterly. “Want me to suck you off too?” 

Janus looked disgusted by the thought. He pressed his finger into Virgil’s chest. “You’ll never be good enough for Roman.” He hissed, glowering at Virgil. “Just give up before you try.” 

With that, he turned and walked away. 

Virgil clenched his fists. 

A/N:

Roman: lmao i'm a hot *narcissistic sound*

Virgil: "Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it."