Virgil watched as Roman sipped nervously on his milkshake. 

“Relax.” Virgil chuckled. “You’re tense.”

He was SUCH a hypocrite.

Virgil was currently on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Everything needed to be perfect, or else this would haunt his nightmares for the following years. 

“It’s just that I’ve never done…this.” Roman gestured to the entire restaurant. 

Virgil processed for a second, not quite sure what he meant. “A date?” He eventually asked, tilting his head. What? Roman had never been on a date before? “No way. You’re telling me that someone who looks like you has never been on a date?”

“I’m not exactly supermodel material.” Roman rolled his eyes. Virgil bristled, completely disagreeing. “People always said that I was…clingy.” 

“Clingy?” Virgil pressed. Who would say that about him? Roman was perfect in every way, anyone who thought otherwise didn’t know what they were talking about. 

“Yeah.” Roman sighed. “That I ask too much of people. That’s probably why I didn’t have too many friends.” 

Virgil could never think anything like that. Roman could take everything from him, and he would still want to give more. His whole heart was owned by the boy sitting in front of him. “Well I think they’re wrong.” He huffed, getting more worked up the more he thought about anyone not liking Roman. “Fuck those guys. You’re one of the most genuine people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting? What was he? Seventy-two? 

“You really think so?” Roman asked, looking at him with those gorgeous eyes. 

“Hell yeah!” Virgil nodded a little too enthusiastically. “Do you really think we would be here right now if I found you clingy?” 

“I mean, we haven’t known each other that long.” Roman murmured. 

That was true, Virgil had to admit. Of course, he couldn’t say that if he wanted this to last. What would a confident person say? Probably something like--

“And yet we’ve already shared a bed.” Virgil smirked. “That must mean you’ve been doing something right.” 

That was good right? He had been practicing his delivery. 

Roman’s eyes widened, a flush coloring his cheeks a pleasant red. “Virgil, we’re in public!” He whispered harshly, before softening. “And thanks, I feel a bit better.” 

Virgil almost jumped for joy. He’d finally done something right. “Anytime, Princey.” He hummed. 

There was an awkward pause. 

This was Virgil’s chance to get to know Roman better. He had so many questions he wanted to ask, the problem was figuring out where to start. He wanted to know everything about the green-eyed boy. He wanted to learn what makes him happy, what makes him sad. He wanted to know what his favorite song was, what animal he thought was the cutest. 

He wanted to know even the most intimate of details, things Roman had never told anyone. Then, he wanted to learn things about Roman, that the boy in question didn’t even know about himself. 

“So…Patton told me he has a younger brother.” Roman commented. 

What? Patton? What did he have to do with anything? “Oh? What’s his name?” Virgil didn’t care in the slightest.

“I think it was…Emile? He’s apparently seven.” Roman told him. 

“Cute.” Virgil let out a fake chuckle. “I’m not sure why I’m hearing about your friend’s kid brother during our date, though.” He tried his best to keep the strain out of his voice. 

“Oh--That is--” Roman stammered, turning red. “I wanted to ask if you have any siblings.”

Oh. Well, now Virgil felt like a bit of a jerk. “I don’t. I’ve always been an only child.” He shrugged. “What’s it like?” 

“Annoying.” Roman rolled his eyes. “I remember when we were eight, Remus pushed me down the stairs.” 

Virgil felt his eyes widen. “What?!” He exclaimed. He knew Remus was a bit unhinged, but pushing Roman down the stairs?! 

“He didn’t just outright push me!” Roman quickly assured, and Virgil let out a relieved sigh. “We had this toy shopping cart that our dad bought for us, right?” 

“Yeah…?” 

“I climbed into this shopping cart, and agreed to let Remus push me around. Should’ve done it downstairs.” Roman sighed. “I didn’t get hurt or anything, but it was absolutely terrifying.” 

“Now I’m kind of glad I don’t have a sibling.” Virgil laughed, a bit giddy that he was learning more about Roman. “They seem to be a bit of a bother.” 

“Well, he’s there for me when I really need him.” Roman sighed, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. “He’s dependable.” 

“You seem to think highly of your brother.” Virgil commented. He wanted Roman to think of him like that too. Like someone he could depend on.

“He’s always been a pain in the ass, but I’d trust him with my life.” Roman shook his head fondly. “If you tell him I said that, I’ll kill you myself.” 

Virgil let out a soft laugh, feeling nothing but warmth in his heart. “Despite being identical twins, you seem to not be anything alike.” 

That seemed to trigger something within Roman. “Oh my god.” He rolled his eyes. “People seem to have some weird idea that twins are either exactly alike, or completely different. That’s not really the case--” 

Virgil tuned him out, smiling stupid as Roman ranted.

He was content just sitting here, watching Roman speak. He was truly beautiful in everything he did. 

Roman finished with a huff.

“Well, pardon me.” Virgil snorted. 

---

When Virgil arrived at Roman’s house, he quickly realized that he didn’t want the day to be over. 

He’d had such a good time with the green-eyed boy. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with him while the day was still young. Quickly searching for an excuse, he quickly said the first thing that came to mind. “You mind if I come inside? I need to use the bathroom.” 

Virgil was a bit proud of that one. He had thought of it on the spot. Plus, it gave him the perfect excuse to stay afterward to chat. 

“Sure.” Roman chirped, getting out of the care. 

Virgil felt a bit nervous. This was his first time in Roman’s house. What if his parents were home? Did he look nice enough to meet the parents?

Those thoughts vanished when he walked inside, and found himself staring at Remus Prince and Janus Orm. 

“Oh great.” The latter growled, glaring at him. 

Virgil felt his face twist up almost involuntarily. “Relax, I’m just going to the bathroom.” He rolled his eyes, walking past them. 

He walked into the bathroom, shut the door, and immediately tried to control his breathing. 

Why was Janus Orm here? Here of all places? Right when Virgil thought that he was safe, Janus Orm had to show his face and ruin it again. 

He could hear him yelling at Roman in the other room, which caused a spike of anger to go through him. How dare he yell at Roman? He could yell at Virgil all he wanted, but not Roman. Never Roman. 

“Roman, you just met him!” 

“So? I’m getting to know more about him, just like you wanted!” 

Virgil squeezed his eyes shut, trying to calm himself down. He was panicking, he couldn’t breathe. 

This was too much. He just wanted to spend more time with Roman. The thought of walking back out there was making his guts feel like they were twisting. 

“Pryder is an unsympathetic, callous, unfeeling individual!” 

“He’s in the other room! He’ll hear you!” 

“Let him!” 

Why did Janus hate him so much? What did he do to him? Virgil didn’t understand. Virgil wanted to understand. 

He just wanted to be loved. Why couldn’t Janus just--

“--accept that I’m happy?!” 

“I--” He heard Janus huff. “You know what? Fine. Whatever. Do what you want. You’re right, I’m not your mom.” 

Virgil furrowed his brow. What? 

In all his life, he’d never heard Orm back down that easily. Not even with Patton Libum or Logan Berry. 

“I don’t want to fight with you, Janus.” Beautiful, perfect, amazing Roman said. “I can talk something out with Virgil, see if I can try and get you two to become friends.” 

Virgil cringed at the thought. 

“I’m sorry, Ro. I just--” Janus sighed. “What will you do if we can’t become friends?” 

“Well, if it comes down to that.” There was a brief pause, and Virgil held his breath while he waited for the answer. “I’m willing to cut things off with Virgil indefinitely.” 

What? 

What? 

No.

No!

Not after he worked this hard. Not after he finally took a chance. He needed Roman like he needed oxygen. He couldn’t cut him off, he just couldn’t! 

“Wha--I can’t ask you to--” Janus stammered, but it sounded way too happy. The bastard had gotten what he wanted. 

Virgil felt his breathing grow heavier, his vision going hazy. This couldn’t be happening. This had to be a nightmare. How could he do this to him? He couldn’t do this. 

Virgil wouldn’t let him do this. 

Almost as if in a trance, he flushed the clean toilet, and reached for the doorknob.

Janus wasn’t going to get away with this. 

He plastered a fake smile onto his face, and exited the bathroom. 

Roman, Janus, and Remus turned to him. “Thanks for letting me use your facilities, Princey.” He winked at the green-eyed boy. 

“N-No problem.” Roman stammered, turning red.

“I’m off.” He gave them a salute. 

Before he closed the door, he saw a smirk on Janus’ face.

Virgil grit his teeth, feeling himself burning with a rage more intense than he’d ever felt. 

Janus was trying to take Roman from him.

And he wouldn’t let that slide. 

A/N:

I didn't like how this turned out, but honestly I'm just glad I finished it pretty quick 😭