There were people staring at him the next day at school.

Virgil could feel their eyes boring into his head, keeping his gaze on the floor. They all knew. Every single person knew. The news had spread like wildfire. 

He knew he only had Janus to thank for that.

"What a slut." Virgil heard one person say to their friend as the purple-haired boy passed by.

"He really gets around." Someone else was saying as he kept walking.

"Haven't they only known each other for a day? God, the new kid must be easy."

Virgil's head swiveled around at that, eyes locking onto the boy who said that. "What did you just say?" He asked flatly, causing the boy to freeze up.

How dare he? Gossiping about Virgil was one thing, but spreading rumors about Roman? No way in hell was he letting that happen.

"Don't say shit like that." Virgil hissed. 

The boy seemed to snap out of his stupor, raising a condescending eyebrow. "Or what?" He had a sort of hungry look in his eyes, like this interaction was giving him a thrill.

Virgil immediately walked away once he noticed, not wanting to play into some random high school boy's fantasy.

Disgusting. Hearing Roman’s name come out of the mouth of such a repulsive creature made him want to cringe. Who did they think they were? Talking about sweet, handsome, perfect Roman like he was just some everyday whore? It was sickening just to think about.

How was it that Virgil and Roman seemed to be the only decent people in the entire school? 

Hell, maybe even the entire city. It wasn’t like he had faced better treatment by the so-called ‘adults.’ Maybe this was just how the world was. Maybe he and Roman were the exceptions. 

Maybe that was why Virgil had felt such a strong connection between them.

“Pryder?” 

Virgil physically felt a part of his soul die as he turned to the source of the voice.

Susan, in all her blonde glory, was staring at him with a smug smile on her face. “I have to admit, I didn’t think you had it in you.” 

Virgil raised an eyebrow. “You seem awfully happy about this.” 

“Well, duh.” Susan scoffed, walking closer to him. “That’s because I know that none of this is real.”

Virgil furrowed his brow. “What?” He asked incredulously.

“Well, this was obviously a rumor you made up to keep me away.” She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Virgil stared at her blankly. Of course. Leave it to Susan Wojcicki to somehow make the situation entirely about herself. “That makes it sound like I care enough about you to do such a thing.” 

“You’re in denial, Pryder.” She stalked closer. “You want me, that’s why you’re pushing me away like this.” She went to touch his face, but Virgil moved his head away. 

“You are absolutely delusional.” Virgil sneered. 

She just smiled at him wryly. “It’s only a matter of time, Pryder~” She purred, before walking away.

Virgil watched her go, disgust causing shivers to go up his spine.

---

Virgil huffed out a sigh, watching the clock on the wall idly. 

Just one more minute.

Sixty more seconds.

So close, he could almost taste it. 

“Come on.” He mumbled to himself, frustrated with how slow time seemed to be going. There were only thirty seconds left now. 

Fifteen seconds. 

The bell rang. 

Virgil immediately went to pack his stuff. 

The day seemed to drag on. It wasn’t even close to the end of the day yet, which remained a fact that would annoy him. 

He slung his backpack over his shoulder, before making a beeline for the door. 

The second he stepped out, however, he turned and was met with an angry glare.

“Is this what you wanted, Pryder?” Janus growled, scowling at him. 

Virgil swallowed, dread pooling up in his stomach. “...I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He murmured. 

What was Janus mad about now? He already knew that Roman had come over to his place, what else was there to be mad about? 

“Don’t play dumb.” Janus spat, stepping closer. Virgil backed up reflexively. “Roman won’t listen to a word I say.” He grit his teeth. “You really are a manipulative bastard.” 

Virgil didn’t say anything, but hearing that Roman believed in him made him feel a bit braver. He stood up a bit taller. “I haven’t done anything wrong.” 

Janus barked out a laugh, his glare growing harsher. “I cannot believe you have the nerve to say that to me.” He snarled. 

Virgil frowned. He had no idea what he did to deserve the look of hatred in Janus’ eyes. Did that make him awful? Was he a horrible person because he couldn’t remember what he did?

“You’re not gonna get away with this, Pryder. I’m going to get through to him eventually.” Janus continued, poking a finger into the grey eyed boy’s chest. “And when I do, you can continue working towards your future of dying without anyone who truly loves you.” 

Virgil pursed his lips. “Roman--”

“He doesn’t love you, jackass!” Janus snapped. “You’ve just tricked him into thinking he does.” He glared at Virgil. “You make me sick.” 

Virgil, feeling a burst of anger, scowled. “Why can’t you just butt out of this?!” He spat. “Why is it so difficult to accept that we’re happy?!”

“Because I don’t want you to be happy, Pryder.” Janus hissed, looking at Virgil like he was a bug. “I want you to suffer.” 

And with that, he turned on his heel and walked away.

---

Virgil idly washed his hands, monotonously scrubbing at them.

When he was done, he stared blankly into the bathroom mirror, a wave of self-loathing washing over him. 

It felt, in that moment, like he was truly looking at the worst human being to ever exist.

He didn’t want to admit it, but he was terrified. He was scared that Janus was right, that Roman would one day realize how incredibly fucked up Virgil was and leave him. That Virgil would end up alone in the end. 

“Oh, hey Pryder.” 

Virgil furrowed his brow, not sure who would say his name so passively. 

He turned, spotting Remus Prince entering the bathroom. 

“...hey.” Virgil replied, internally celebrating when his voice didn’t crack. 

This was awkward. He hadn’t spoken to Remus in his life, only ever acknowledging him in his mind as Roman’s twin brother. He needed to make a good impression, since they would hopefully be brother-in-laws in the future.

Virgil blinked.

WHAT?! 

There was no way he just thought about marrying Roman so casually. Was he completely insane?! They weren’t even dating yet! 

Remus, oblivious to Virgil’s mini-freakout, just went and stood in the corner of the bathroom and took out his phone. 

Virgil, confused, cleared his throat. “Are you…gonna go?” 

Remus glanced up at him. “Hm?” He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, nope. I’m just skipping.” 

Virgil slowly nodded, before an awkward silence settled over the two of them. 

At least, it was awkward for Virgil. Remus didn’t seem too particularly bothered. 

He was vastly different from Roman. He could already tell, despite the fact that they had talked for less than thirty seconds. He held a different air around himself, one that Roman didn’t have. It was aloof, carefree. 

For instance, Roman didn’t strike Virgil as the type to skip class. 

“...So,” Remus spoke up, snapping the purple-haired boy out of his thoughts, “Roman, huh?” 

His tone was too casual to be natural, and he was eyeing Virgil suspiciously. 

“...what about him?” Virgil replied carefully. 

Remus tilted his head. “He likes you.” He stated. “A lot. Did you know that?” 

Virgil quickly turned his head away from Remus before he could see the red appear in his cheeks. “I had been hoping that was the case.” He murmured, focusing on keeping his voice steady. 

A hand grabbed his shoulder, and shoved him. Virgil hit the wall with a small grunt, and looked up in surprise at Remus, who was looking at him with narrowed eyes. 

“You listen to me very closely, Pryder, because I’m only going to say this once.” He hissed venomously. “I love my brother. I would do anything for him. And I’m tired of seeing him be let down. So, if you hurt him, I will come for you. I don’t care where you run, I’ll track you down and make you pay. You understand?” 

Virgil swallowed heavily, staring wide-eyed at Remus. “I wasn’t--”

“Do you understand?” Remus reiterated, eyes darkening. 

Virgil quickly nodded, mouth snapping shut. 

“Great!” Remus smiled cheerfully, patting him on the shoulder. “Good talk.” He backed up, and Virgil quickly left the bathroom.

---

Virgil sighed, idly walking through the hall. 

Today was exhausting. All he wanted to do was go home and sleep until tomorrow morning. 

He spotted tanned skin from the corner of his eye. Perking his head up, he saw Roman getting some books out of his locker. 

He grinned, immediately feeling energy returning to him. He quickly walked over, barely able to contain the happiness he felt upon seeing him. “Hey.” 

Roman yelped in surprise, dropping his books. 

“Oh shit, sorry.” Virgil laughed, quickly bending down to pick up Roman’s books. “Didn’t realize I was so scary.” He put a smirk on, handing them back to him. 

Roman smiled beautifully at him. “I’m kind of on edge today.” He chuckled. “Remus told all my friends about us.” 

Us. 

And just like that, everything was worth it.

“That’s good.” Virgil grinned, pecking Roman on the lips before he could help himself. “I was hoping for that outcome.”

That wasn’t necessarily true, but a win is a win. 

“Is that why you had me wear your clothes?” Roman raised a brow, his face adopting a gorgeous flush. 

“Hard to say.” Virgil shrugged. The answer to that question was also no, but, again, a win is a win. 

Roman lightly shoved him, causing Virgil’s skin to feel like it was on fire. “You totally did!” 

Virgil laughed, heart swelling. “Can you blame me?” He asked, wrapping his arms around Roman’s waist. The latter stared up at him with bright emerald eyes, somehow looking heavenly in the crappy hallway lighting. “Look at you, I can’t help but show you off.” 

A brilliant smile lit up on his face.

“Virgil, we’re at school.” Roman chuckled, lightly trying to push him away. 

“Do that again.” Virgil said, almost breathlessly. His heart was pounding. “Say my name again, with that smile on your face.” 

An even bigger smile erupted onto his face. “Virgil!” He laughed. “Come on, I have to get to class soon.” 

Virgil felt light, like he was floating. He realized, in that moment, that he didn’t care about anything else. He wanted Roman. He wanted to hold him, to love him, to cherish him. He wanted them to grow old together, to die in each other's arms. He had never wanted anything as strongly as he wanted this.

“Do you wanna go get something to eat after school?” Virgil asked. “Just the two of us.” 

Roman blushed slightly. “What? Like a date?” He mumbled. 

Date. 

“Exactly like a date.” Virgil smiled. 

Roman flushed harder. “Uh, sure.” 

Virgil couldn’t keep the grin off of his face. “Perfect.” He took his hands off of Roman. “See ya later, Princey.” 

A/N:

Hi guys I have been so silly with updates