I know, I know. I need to stop writing new stuff, but I have writers block and this idea that I've been wanting to write (not original in any way) has been sitting in my mind for a little while so I'm gonna write it! Hope you enjoy!

Pairings: Eventual/Slow burn Prinxiety, and implied eventual/slow burn Logicality

Warnings: Strong language
___
___
Virgil knows he's trying. And he knows that all he wants is to atone for his past mistakes, but every time he even glances in Virgil's direction, there is a sharp pinch in his chest that reminds him that there was once a time where his feelings would be dismissed and brushed aside.

It's during a meeting regarding Thomas's next video that this punch finally becomes too much. Maybe it has become more than just a pinch. Maybe it has mutated into something harsher. Either way, Virgil makes some excuse about being up late and leaves. He knows that they will worry, but he just... he just can't be around Roman right now.

The reason for this is beyond him- they've both been getting along rather well as of late, and Roman even considered Virgil's own fears and feelings in the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' video, only giving him one line to sing and changing it to something actually rather sweet. Sweet enough to induce vomiting, but sweet.

Virgil knows that his hesitance towards the creative facet aren't his fault, and he also knows that they aren't Roman's fault, but he is beginning to wonder what to blame. Why can't he just be content with how things are changing for the better? Roman is trying. And that is all Virgil has ever wanted.

So, why isn't it enough?
___
___
He can tell that Logan is getting suspicious. The weary half-lidded glances and arched eyebrows are enough to indicate to Virgil that Logan knows something is wrong. If Virgil were to explain everything to him, then perhaps they could talk through it and come up with a solution?

But Virgil is ashamed. He's ashamed that these feelings are still bothering him even when Roman has made so much effort to know him. To understand him.

"Is everything between you and Roman... Gucci, Virgil?"

Using his vocabulary cards again (and possibly an influence from Roman). Virgil would have been so proud if his stomach wasn't twisting and tugging harshly at his insides. He merely shrugs and nods, pulling the hoodie that is suddenly suffocating him tighter around his shoulders.

Logan can see right through him. Obviously. "There have been no disputes between the two of you, I hope? And if there has, please feel free to talk about it."

"Yeah. Sure, thanks."

He doesn't know what else to say because there haven't been any fights. And there have only been a few small arguments between the two, which is, and has always been, the norm for them. Hopefully, the feeling will pass, and Virgil will be able to stand in Roman's presence without the unforgiving weight of the past sitting on his shoulders.

Weeks later, and the feeling is still there, picking at the last of Virgil's patience and leaving the scraps at the front of his mind. How is he supposed to film videos with Thomas and the others when he can barely be around one of the Sides?!

Curled up on one side of the couch, Virgil glanced around the common area of the mind-palace and sighs, closing his eyes gently and letting the drumbeat of his music soothe him to a state of being half-asleep. 'Pink Floyd' had never been one of his favourite bands, but one of their more popular songs, 'Comfortably Numb', always managed to relax him, despite the somewhat harrowing lyrics.

Without warning, the cushion of the couch beside him shifts and Virgil's eyes snap open, startled at the sudden and unexpected company. He freezes at the sight of a perfectly groomed Roman sitting beside him, one leg crossed over the other gracefully and his hands folded comfortably in his lap seemingly after switching on the TV and changing the channel. What is he watching? Disney Channel, he should've known.

The darkly dressed trait wants to ask him why he's there, instead of being in his room, or out on an adventure in the Imagination. Instead of doing this however, he simply sits there and silently decides that they can coexist, and that Virgil's silly feelings aren't going to mess that up. When he closes his eyes and rests his cheek on his knees, he feels that pinch in his stomach again and winces.

Somehow, he manages to hear a smooth voice call to him over his music. "Virgil? Is something bothering you? You look like you're in pain."

Shit. Virgi cracks open his eyes and glances sideways at the prince, who is watching him with a curious and troubled stare, feeling something inside of him churn with guilt and fear as he stares right back. He doesn't want to feel this way. He doesn't want to be afraid of him. Roman would never lay a hand on him, and he's working on keeping all possible negative comments to himself, so Virgil knows he wouldn't hurt him intentionally. Why is he so afraid? "No, I'm good. Music was just a little loud."

Roman doesn't seem to see through his lie, and just smiles at him, relief clear in his expression. Chuckling lightly, he allows a teasing edge to paint his voice as he replies. "You should really be more careful with that PG13 music of yours, Sobbing Hood."

Arching an eyebrow at the nickname, Virgil finally feels the pinch in his stomach dull to an uncomfortable light scratching of nails. "Really?"

With a laugh, Roman nods in agreement. "Yes, that wasn't one of my best."

For a moment or two, it almost seems like the problems between them are fading far into the past, like they can simply forget about them and pretend they never even happened. But when Roman lifts his arm to brush a few stray strands of hair from out of his eyes, Virgil flinches away and that pinch in his stomach is getting stronger, it's burning now, and he breathes just a little bit faster, only fanning the flame and making it so much more painful and suddenly he can't breathe at all-

The heartbroken glint in Roman's eyes brings him back to reality. Hazelnut mixes with honey as a tiny crestfallen stream of light flickers through a crack in his confidence, in his hope. His hope that things are finally improving between them. Virgil doesn't know what to do. What can he say to make things better? He can't lie and tell him that the movement of his hand wasn't what scared him, but he can't quite get the truth out in words either.

They both sit there for a minute, just staring at each other. Neither know what to say to break the silence. Do they want to break the silence? If they did, then there would be questions that Virgil didn't want to answer, and answers that Roman didn't want to hear.

Instead of waiting around for that to happen, Virgil swallows down any apologies he wants to give, knowing that they will mean nothing, and stands up, sinking down and appearing back in his room. He wonders how they're going to recover from this. Roman surely understands the indications brought on by Virgil flinching away from him, and he is definitely hurt, perhaps even disappointed. Because, dammit, he's trying! He really is!

Why can't that just be enough?