Roman Prince continues to flirt with me every opportunity he gets for the next week, seemingly undeterred by my rejections. Well, it's not exactly like I can help the fact that I'm gay as hell and kiss him back the second his lips touch mine. It's really not my fault here, he should keep his amazing mouth to himself.

That being said, I really wish he'd stop. I can't go out with him; I know what that would do to his career, and while he knows this, he doesn't seem to care. I'm just trying to protect him from the ridicules and consequences of being an out actor.

It's becoming increasingly clear to me that Roman isn't going to let up on this though, especially when he calls me at 11:15 AM on one of our Saturdays we have off from rehearsal. "Hello?" I answer, confusion in my voice because of the unfamiliar number. I typically don't answer unknown numbers, but what the hell? Maybe it was a higher up for the Broadway production calling to let me know they wanted to promote me or something. A guy can dream alright?

"Good morning, My Chemically Imbalanced Romance!" an all too familiar voice replies through the phone.

My eyes widen as I realize who it is, feeling my heart flutter and my cheeks grow warm as I sigh heavily. "Mr. Prince... how did you know I listen to My Chemical Romance? And how did you even get my number?" I question in frustration.

"I saw Welcome to the Black Parade on your lock screen once while you were working backstage," Roman replies casually. "As for your number, I have my ways."

I pause and frown, thinking of who could've even given him the number. That's when a certain stage manager with a necktie and the nerdiest glasses I've ever seen in my life comes to mind. I sigh again, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Logan gave it to you, didn't he?"

"I don't know what you're talking about-"

"God damn that nerd," I huff in indignation. "Look, just because you have my number now doesn't mean my answer has changed. I'm flattered, really, but I just can't do this with you, not with your fame and your popularity."

He just chuckles through the phone and I can tell he's smiling. "Just because you keep telling me no doesn't mean I'm going to stop chasing you, so why don't we just go on a date and if you hate it, you can reject me?" he says. I think for a moment about how unashamed he is; no wonder the guy's an actor, he really doesn't care if I think he's a loser or something. "You keep saying no because of my career. I want to hear you say no because of me before I give up."

I sigh, feeling a little guilty. This man is kind of perfect, just the right amount of flirty and sweet to make my heart race and my cheeks warm. How could I end up saying no to him for a reason other than his career? That was the only reason I was rejecting him!

"Is that a yes? Because if so, meet me at the address I'm about to text you in fifteen minutes," Roman says before I can respond again. "I hope you show up."

"What if I don't?" I say, knowing full well that I was already going to go.

He chuckles like the idea of me standing him up is amusing to him. "Well, if you don't, I'll be sad and I'll go home and eat an entire pint of ice cream alone in my apartment like the lonely actor I am," he replies in a 'woe is me' voice. "But I would much rather go have ice cream with you in Central Park, JD-lightful!"

I groan, face palming at the second stupid and angsty nickname he gives me. "Seriously?"

"Hey! I played JD back in 2016! It was the role that got me discovered, so don't be trashing Heathers," he bites back, though I can hear a smile in his voice. "Seriously, be there as quick as you can, please."

With that, he hangs up and I receive a text with an address. I open it, my eyes widening as I realize how far away it is. It's all the way in Central Park on the exact opposite end of the side that was facing my apartment complex. I'm about to say I can't make it when he sends another message.

Roman Prince: Don't worry about a cab, I'll pay for it
Roman Prince: Have it drop you off here

He sends the address to one of the entrances of the park, the one closest to the restaurant he'd previous sent me the address for. Roman then sends me a couple hearts. As adolescent as it is, it makes me blush.

I suppose I'm going on a date then.

~

I wasn't sure how he'd talked me into it, but after I get done texting Roman, I go take a quick shower. It's not that I needed one, but I wanted to be safe. Wrapping myself in a towel, I look through my closet for something to wear.

I'm not sure why he thinks I'm so attractive considering he's only ever seen me in my rehearsal clothes, which are not flattering by any means. I use this as my opportunity to show him how I really dress, hoping that maybe it would scare him off. Maybe I could avoid this date just by wearing more black than the average person.

There are two colors that make up the majority of my closet: black and purple. I just need to decide what kind of outfit to wear. I could wear a casual one, like jeans and a overhead hoodie; or I could try a little bit, like skinny, ripped jeans, a deep purple v-neck, and the Nightmare Before Christmas inspired hoodie I'd made myself... I think I already know what I'm wearing. One of those said, "I don't care" and the other said, "I don't care but at least I look like I do".

I pull on the outfit and lace up my purple combat boots, looking in the mirror one final time to check my appearance. My phone lets out the chorus of Seventeen, letting me know Roman's calling me again... what? I saved his number and gave him a ringtone. It's a coincidence that it's the love song from the musical he was discovered in. 

"Hello?" I say, trying to sound annoyed. 

"Are you going to show up?" he asks excitedly. 

I feel myself smile and I hate myself for it. He sounds so much younger, so excited over the idea of going on a date with someone. "So what if I'm getting ready for it?" I answer. I purposely kept my voice dull but let him know I was going to come. "What if I'm deciding if I look a little better than just shit?"

"I'm sure you look stunning, as you always do," he replies, the honesty in his voice catching my off guard. "But I just wanted to call to make sure you were coming! I can't wait to see you!"

He hangs up, making me roll my eyes as a stupid, loving sick smile spreads across my lips. In some other instance, he wouldn't be famous and he wouldn't be an actor, and we'd have already gone on several dates by now. Hell, maybe this would be our anniversary date rather than our first. 

I shake the thoughts away as I grab my wallet and keys. Once I'm out on the street, I hail down a taxi. "Can you take me to this address?"I say, showing him my phone.

The cab driver nods and begins to drive, not very talkative, which is perfectly fine with me. I pull my headphones over my ears, letting the sounds of Gerard Way fill my senses. It makes me think about the name Roman Prince had called me.

Apparently I'm his 'chemically imbalanced romance'... why is that so weirdly romantic?

~

The taxi pulls to a halt when we reach out destination and I see Roman Prince waiting for me. My eyes widen, seeing how different he looks when he's dressed in real clothes too. He comes over and pays for my ride as I get out of the car. Once paid, the cab drives off, leaving me alone with the man I'd been rejecting for almost a month. 

"You look stunning," he says, smiling widely. 

I take in his appearance too. He's wearing brown jeans with a white t-shirt that had a little gold crown on it; a play on his last name I assume. Over that was a brown leather jacket with dark red accents. He looks really damn good. 

"You look really nice as well," I manage to say in response. 

"Thank you, now come," he says, offering his hand for me to take. 

I end up taking his hand and he laces our fingers together. Typically, that would be too much contact for a first date, but I've already kissed this man multiple times, so I think I can get away with this one. 

He leads the way to the restaurant from the first address. It's a French-sounding cafe and bakery by the name of Le Pain Quotidien, and I have to say, I'm not very surprised. It's a bit early in the morning for something heavy for lunch. It's a casual place and not overly crowded at this time of day. He pulls out my chair for me when we sit down. 

"Thank you," I say shyly, feeling myself blush at how much of a gentleman he is. 

Roman takes his seat across from me. "So! I want to know everything about you, Virgil Black," he says, smiling widely. "What's your favorite color? What's your favorite show? What's your family like? What are you looking for in a significant other?"

I'm taken aback by all the questions. "Well, some of those things are gonna have to wait until a the third date or so," I mumble awkwardly, but this makes his eyes light up.

"Meaning I have the opportunity to get another date in the future! Yes! I knew you were interested!" he cheers, smiling even more widely at me now. "I hope I don't sound too ridiculous. I've just been unable to find someone who pulls me in the way you do in a long time. I'm very pleased that you share my interest."

"You sound ridiculous alright," I say without much bite, hesitating before continuing. "But it's cute... I've never had someone so excited to go on a date with me before."

Roman smiles at me affectionately. "I can't believe that." 

I blush even redder at the comment, not being able to help the smile that was spreading across my lips. The rest of our little meal goes smoothly. We discuss the show we're working on and a few of the things he wants to know about me; I know it's shocking but I'm comfortable with telling him my favorite color. I ask him a few questions in return, and before we know it, he's paying the check and we're walking through Central Park. 

"That was really nice," he comments as we stroll along the park pathways. "But I've got a couple more things planned."

I blink in surprise as he takes my hand again and leads me down the path. When my eyes land on a small ice cream shop that was on the side of the pathway. He flashes me a bright grin as we step up to order some of the cool and sugary treat. 

"Um... I'd just like a vanilla cone please," I say, turning to the princely man. "What do you want, Roman?"

"I'm good, I just wanted to treat you," he says as he pays for my ice cream before I can even complain. He hands me the cone with a perfect swirl of vanilla ice cream. Our fingers brush as I take it from him. "There you are, My Chemically Imbalanced Romance!"

I blush at the use of the nickname again, looking down at the ice cream with a smile as we begin walking side by side again, our fingers laced together between us.