Walking through school that day was absolutely terrible.

Everyone had wrote messages for Janus on sticky notes, and stuck them to his locker. In the center, was a picture of him.

It was really funny, considering the majority of the people who left notes didn't even know him. It sucks how everyone starts noticing you once you're gone.

Roman felt detached from reality the whole day. Like the tether that was keeping him grounded had disappeared.

Some students and faculty had expressed their deepest condolences, but it didn't really feel too sincere.

They didn't know him. They weren't his friend. Why should they get to talk about him like he was ever a part of their stories?

Everything just felt wrong. It was too sunny outside, the air was too warm. It was like nature was mocking them.

Remus had been quiet all day, not that everyone else wasn't. Everything that could be talked about felt inappropriate.

It was lunch now, and Roman decided to spend it outside.

He needed fresh air, everything felt too stagnant.

"Roman?"

He turned, finding Virgil walking towards him.

"Hey..." Roman gave him a weak smile.

Virgil instantly engulfed him in a hug. "I am so sorry." He mumbled.

Roman hugged back tightly, almost immediately collapsing into sobs. The two of them sunk down to the ground, Virgil letting Roman release his sorrow.

"It's just not fair!" Roman cried, pulling away and looking up at Virgil with tearful, green eyes. "I had just gotten to know him, and now he's--" Roman cut himself off, not even able to say it.

It was silent for a few moments. "Orm and I...we didn't get along." Virgil shook his head. "But if I knew that he wouldn't--" Virgil choked on his own words, but forced himself to continue. "--that he wouldn't be here now."

"Virgil..." Roman brought a hand to his cheek.

"I'd take it back, Ro. I'd take everything back." Virgil shook his head. "I should've known that the reason he lashed out at me, was because he was hurting inside. If only I could've seen past my own pride."

"I'd really appreciate it if you came to the funeral with me." Roman told him softly.

Virgil's eyes widened. "It would be rude of me to--"

"I need you there, Virge. Please." Roman whispered. Virgil softened, before giving Roman a sad smile.

"Okay." He mumbled, gently kissing Roman on the forehead. "Roman, this isn't your fault. Not in any way, shape, or form."

"But I tried to pressure him into becoming friends with you." Roman shook his head. "I said I would break up with you if he didn't."

"So, you're saying this is my fault." Virgil deadpanned. "That Janus detested the thought of befriending me so much, he would rather die?"

Roman's eyes widened. "Wh-What?! No!"

"Then I don't see why you should blame yourself, Ro." Virgil softened, stroking a hand along Roman's jawline. "What happened wasn't anyone fault."

"I-I just feel like I could've--"

"It's too late to think like that now." Virgil whispered, leaning in. "You have to live in the present, Princey."

And their lips connected.

Roman would later feel ashamed for admitting that he forgot about Janus completely for a moment. He couldn't help it, Virgil was like a sedative. Putting him at ease, letting all his thoughts drift away.

It didn't last nearly as long as Roman wanted it to. Virgil pulled away first, an emotion in his gaze that Roman couldn't quite pinpoint.

They stared into each other's eyes for a moment longer, before the bell broke them out of their stupor.

Virgil stood up first, offering Roman a hand. Roman took it.

---

It was also sunny the day of the funeral. Obnoxiously sunny, in fact. It was like a grim reminder that life would continue without Janus.

It was an open casket funeral. If you didn't look too hard, it would seem like he was sleeping. It was the paleness of his skin, the fact that his chest wasn't rising and falling, and how he was cold to the touch that gave it away.

Patton was a mess throughout the entire ceremony. He sobbed loudly, his despair echoing through the halls of the church.

Logan was as stoic as always. His eyes were fixed on Janus the entire time. Seeming to be memorizing every detail of his face, knowing that this was the last time he would see it in person.

Remus hadn't spoken a word the whole week leading up to the funeral. His eyes were always distant, thinking about something.

Roman sat next to Virgil during the funeral. Virgil was silent, a frown on his face as he looked at Janus. He had one arm wrapped around Roman, the other placed on his lap.

Roman was still clinging onto some stupid hope that everyone would start laughing. That Janus would sit up and say: "Gotcha!" That none of this was real.

But he knew that was childish. As much as Janus loved pranks, he would never go this far.

"Goodbye, Janny." Roman whispered, watching as the casket was closed and carried off.

A/N:

I get really sentimental when I'm tired and it shows in this chapter.