If I ever use the wrong pronouns, please, please, PLEASE correct me!!

I hope you like the new chapter, boy is it a long one X3

__________

Point of View: Virgil, First Person
Timeline: Present Day

I walked down the hallway of my apartment building, hands tucked deep in my pockets and hood even lower over my head than usual. I - I couldn't help the feeling that I was being watched...

Well, more than usual anyway.

Maybe it was just my anxiety, but I couldn't help the uneasiness that kept bubbling up in my stomach. Something just... felt... wrong.

I lifted my head once I reached the door to my apartment, pulling the small silver key to unlock it out of my combat boot, as usual (just a... precaution). After a quick glance to the left and right, confirming that I was the only one in the hallway, I slipped inside, quickly locking the door behind me.

I sighed, feeling the tension leave my shoulders and I let myself relax.

I pulled my hood down as well as my headphones, setting them on the counter. I set my keys in a little crude looking light blue bowl on the counter, like always. I hopped on my phone, scrolling through my Spotify playlists. What band was I feeling like listening to today...? Hmm, today feels like a "Pray for the Wicked" kinda day...

"Hello Virgil."

I jumped, instantly hating myself for doing so as I took in the person relaxing on my couch, sitting there all nonchalantly, as if he still lived here. He took his time, standing up and walked over. "You're out of M&M's by the way," he said casually. "Well, now you are."

I forced myself to breathe, controlling the rage inside me that wanted to punch his living daylights out. I couldn't afford to act out if I wanted any chance of getting my brother back.

"Get out."

"Aww, that isn't exactly what I would call being a good host," Deceit clicked his tongue disapprovingly, leaning casually against the kitchen counter. "A good host might at least offer me a drink. Have any... I don't know, wine? If I remember correctly, you always used to have some stock in case of... emergencies," Deceit smirked, folding his gloves hands in front of his chest.

That prick.

Deceit looked about the same from when I saw him last. Same stupid yellow gloves, same stupid derby hat that was currently resting on the coffee table, same stupid snake face tattoo and yellow snake colored contact in his left eye to compliment.

"You have no right to be here," I snarled, crossing my arms firmly over my chest - standing my ground. "How did you even get up here anyway?"

"Oh, I figured you could use some company," Deceit lied. "This old lady was so kind to let me in the building and a credit card works great on these flimsy locks," He gave me a wide, lying smile - smirking face tilting to the side. "I just thought that you looked lonely, Virgie."

I gave him and dry laugh, it sounded fake even to my own ears. "I'm perfectly fine by myself, thank you very much. And don't call me that."

Deceit raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Oh, I might be mistake - do correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought lying was my thing, Virgie," he teased. "And besides, the amount of Ben & Jerry's Vanilla Ice Cream in the freezer speaks otherwise."

Wait what? He's been going through kitchen?! How long has he been here?! What else did he get into?!!

"I'm not asking, Deceit. Get. Out. Of. My. Apartment."

"Awww, come on Virgie," Deceit cooed, sliding towards me. "I think we're a little past our Snake names now, aren't we? I thought we were on a much more... personal, level than that."

"You don't deserve to know my name, I regret tell you it in the first place," I spat. "And I'd much rather forget yours - along with a lengthy list of other things."

"Ah, but you do remember my name, don't you? Just say it, Virgie. Just say it once and I'll leave you alone, pinky promise," Deceit gave me a twisted smile.

I gritted my teeth. "Get out of my apartment, Deceit."

Deceit stood his ground for a moment, before grabbing his stupid black derby hat off the stupid coffee table. "The gang's been asking for you - Sleep, in particular. Everyone's starting to get suspicious," Deceit took a couple fast steps towards me, too fast for me to back up and I hated the way that my breath still hitched when he was close. By the conceited smirk on his face, I could tell that he noticed.

"They're starting to ask questions, Virgie. And you know how I hate questions," he sneered. "So maybe we could come to a compromise?" Deceit tried, eyes dropping momentarily to my lips.

"You have nothing that I could want," I sneered, spinning around.

"Oh come on, Virgie. Nothing? Nothing at all?" Deceit pouted in false disappointment.

"Nothing."

"Not even your... freedom?"

I tensed at the word.

"Oh come on, Virgie," Deceit laughed and my stomach dropped. "Haven't you wondered why the gang hasn't stormed your apartment yet? Hasn't caught you on the street and dragged you to a ditch to kick the life out of your body? It's only because I've ordered them to leave you be... for now," Deceit grinned and I hated the way I felt the blood drain from my face. "People don't just walk away from gangs, Virgie, I thought we made that clear.

"Right now, most of them are under the assumption that you're just... taking a little break, aren't you? You'll be back by Sunday, at the latest, aren't I right?"

"I'm out, Deceit. I'm not coming back - ever," I glared. "Let them try."

"Oh, Virgie, always so proud," Deceit sneered, placing a gloved hand on my cheek. I gritted my teeth, using all of my willpower not to yank his hand off me and kick him in the -

"But you know if I give the word for them to kill you, they would not hesitate," Deceit somehow got closer and I could feel his breath on my face, ugh. "Or maybe I'll just order one person to do it... how about Sleep?"

"You don't touch him," I growled. "Do with me what you will, but don't you DARE touch him."

"Hmm," Deceit hummed, as if he was toying with the idea. "So you do have a weak spot for the smartas-"

"I'm not going to tell you again, get out of my apartment."

Deceit put his gloved-hands up, thankfully off of me, in mock defeat. "Fine, fine, I'll go," he said. "But if you refuse to make a deal with me then don't blame me for the... consequences."

"GET OUT!" I screamed, hands balling in fists at the side of my head. "GET OUT!"

Deceit went to the door, unlocking it but not leaving just yet. "Oliver is doing well, so I here. Though he keeps asking about you... hmm, I think he's beginning to think that you abandoned him."

"The only," I winced as my voice cracked. "The ONLY reason why my brother is not standing by my side right now is because YOU took him away from me. Because of what you did to me," I could feel the sobs behind my eyes but I didn't dare cry. No, not in front of him.

"You just lie, and lie, and lie, and HURT EVERYONE. God... and to think that I loved you once!"

Deceit blinked at that, uncertainty written in his face for the first time during our conversation. "Loved?" he asked quietly, almost as if we was surprised at the use of the word in past-tense.

"Honestly, Deceit - you didn't think I could still love you after what you did, did you?"

And like lightning, Deceit's surprised expression was suddenly replaced by a cold, hard smirk and I couldn't lie and say that it didn't feel great to hurt him back for once. He had done more than enough to deserve it.

"Do you know what I named the gang the Snakes?" Deceit started, but he didn't look at me - instead focusing his attention on the little crude bowl that I put my keys in. He held it up for a moment, examine the bowl before setting it gently down on the counter. "I could have easily gone with hundred of different names: Bloods, Crips... but I chose The Snakes. You see, snakes are fascinating creatures, Virgil," Deceit sneered, walking away and unlocking the door. "There are about 500 genera and 3,000 different species of snakes. And you want to know something else Hm?"

I gritted my teeth, keeping silent.

"Out of all those snakes, every single one of them are predators," Deceit smiled brightly and it looked so wrong on his creepy snake face. "See you on Sunday, Virgie," he finished - winking before closing the door.

Finally letting the shock kick in, I leaned over the kitchen sink - I felt like I was going to be sick. He was here, he just waltzed right into my apartment, my home, and went through who-knows- what...

I can't be here tonight.

I quickly walked out of my apartment, not bothering to pull my hood over my head. I didn't really need to now, I guess I really hadn't for a while. God, I had been so careful, how did he find me? Two months I thought that I was out of his reach and yet... I guess I was never really hiding at all. I still can't get his voice out of my head, so - so ugh.

I left my apartment, only stopping for a moment to grab my phone, keys, and wallet. And headphones too of course.

I can't be here tonight.

----------

Many hours so walking the streets later, I walked into the bar, waving at the bartender - who greeted me with a curt nod. "The usual?" they asked as I made my way to the dark brown counter, momentarily admiring the neon lights that littered the place.

"Yeah," I sighed, sliding onto a bar-stool.

The bartender, Talyn, has been running this place with their significant other, Joan - also a non binary individual - for basically as long as anyone can remember. I used to come here all the time, before I got sober. And now, it's just habit.

Talyn pushed big ol' glass of water in front of me, full of ice. "Rough day?"

I grunted in response, taking a sip. "Something like that."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Not really. How are things going?"

"Bar's doing fine, everything's fine. Joan a little upset because somebody messed up and accidentally forgot to order some liquor or something," Talyn leaned on the other side of the counter. "Man, they were cursing up a storm in the back when they found out."

I smiled and shook my head, able to picture them doing exactly that.

"Where are they?" I looked around, searching for their signature orange beanie. "Are they here?"

"Yeah, in the back with a lightweight."

"Oof."

"He only had one before I cut 'em off, but apparently that wasn't enough. Thankfully it's pretty empty tonight so it wasn't really a big deal," they commented, gesturing to the many vacant seats.

I frowned, realizing that I was the only one here. "Uh, are you sure everything's okay? Why is everything so empty?"

"Dude, it's Monday," Talyn replied, raising their pink and blue eyebrows. "How many people do you know that go out for drinks on a Monday?"

"Apparently the lightweight in the back."

Talyn thought about it for a second before nodding in agreement.

"Poor guy," the continued. "Came in with super dark circles - ones that could give even you a run for your money."

... why did... why did that description sound so familiar?

"Came in, asked for a Purple Rain - you know, that drink to honor Prince and stuff? - well, I gave him one and he couldn't handle it. Ten minutes later looked like he was gonna heave over my counter so I sent him to the back and Joan took over from there."

"Uh, hey Tal, what did this guy look like?"

"Well - "

"GREEETINGS WONDERRFUL CITIZENS! IT IS TTRRRULY AN HONORRRR TO BE YOUR KNIGHT. YOU ALL HAVE NO REASON TO FEARR! I SHALL SLAY THE GREAT AND MIGHTY DRAGON-WITCH!!"

"Oh my God..."

"He's creative, I'll give him that," Talyn commented lightly, walking over toward Roman, who was currently leaning very heavily on Joan. "First time I've heard that one."

I didn't even have a chance to hide before Roman's eyes landed on me. "P-PReeTTYy PUrPLe Boy! W-Whatcha doooooin?"

"Oh my gosh," I muttered, quickly yanking my hood over my head. But it was too late, I'd been spotted.

"P-PRREETTYY P-PPUR-PURRRPLE BOYYY," Roman giggled, grabbing the counter and heading determinedly towards me.

Talyn was laughing their head off, doubling-over at my mortified face. "You know him?"

"My God, Roman," I yanked my hood back down, taking a good look at the... absolutely pitiful man in front of me. "What's happened to you? I - I just saw you a couple hours ago and you were fine."

"I - I AM ffffiiinnnneeee," Roman argued. "I'm SUUUUPER fINNEE," he slurred deliriously. "And so are youuu," Roman winked, eyes dropping much lower than my eyes.

Talyn was stumbling away, laughing so hard they were crying, disappearing in the back to (hopefully) pull themselves together.

Moving surprisingly fast - with Joan's help, of course - Roman stumbled into the stool next to me, knocking it over. "Whoopsie," he muttered.

I exhaled, pressing my fingers against my temples before asking. "Roman, what on Earth are you doing here?"

"Fear not, my Dark Prince! I am perfectly fine!"

"Roman, you are so drunk right now - how are you planning on getting home?"

"What do you mean?! Home is not a place for adventurous souls! I must travel far and wide, ride into the sunset with my dear prince..." Roman suddenly grew quiet, eyes locked on something only his drunk eyes could see. "My prince... oh my dear sweet prince, oh I am so sorry..."

Roman's eyes started to water and I quickly got to my feet. Oh no, I am not hanging around for the sob fest.

"Hey man," Joan said to me, plopping Roman shakily onto a bar stool, who hardly seemed to notice. "Talyn and I are about to close."

"Dude it's not even that late," I pleaded.

"Dude, it's midnight," Joan returned, raising an eyebrow. "Tal and me are closing up early - can you do us a favor take care of him? Please?"

I sighed. "Fine, whatever," I muttered and Joan winked at me, starting to go about closing the bar.

I turned to Roman. "Where's your phone?" I asked.

Roman, slumped on the stool, resting his head on the counter like it was a pillow. "Bag," he muttered, looking tired and... drained, drunk tears rolling down his face and onto the dark wooden sealed counter below.

I noticed that Joan had set his bag on the counter next to him. I fished around for a moment before pulling out the golden cased wonder. Not much of a surprise. I pressed the home button and the lock screen came up, wanting a password.

"Roman, what's your password?"

"Hmm?"

"The password to your phone. What is it?"

"Whyy you need t'at?" Roman slurred, not bothering to even open his eyes.

"So I can call someone to pick you up and take you home," I rolled my eyes at Joan and Talyn who were snickering a bit.

"Oh. Okayyy," he said.

I waited.

"Roman," I reminded him after a long pause. "What's your phone password?"

"Uh, I dunno," he muttered, sleepily. "Why ya neeeed tthaatttt?"

"Oh good grief, nevermind," I said pressing the emergency call button. Surely he had someone in his emergency contacts.

...

Or not, I realized, seeing absolutely no one in his contacts that I could call to pick him up or even tell me where he lives.

I - I can't just leave him here...

"Hey Joan, what are we supposed to do with him?" I spun around, starting to help Joan flip chairs on the tables.

"Well, unless he's got a friend with a strong sense of intuition, there's really nothing we can do. He's too drunk to even remember where he lives, his phone password... there's nothing we can really do," they admitted. "I can drop him off at a homeless shelter on the way home, but honestly I'm pretty sure he'll puke in my car before we'd even get there and even once we get there, those homeless drunks would eat him alive."

"So what are we supposed to do?"

Joan shrugged. "Not really our problem dude. There's a sign on the door, saying that we are not accountable for any legal consequences once they leave the bar," Joan motioned towards the windows at the front.

"Well, could I just stay and watch over the bar tonight or... something?"

For the first time, Joan frowned. "No."

"No?"

"Dude, look," Joan started. "I don't wanna get all sappy and sh-stuff," Joan hastily corrected at my raised eyebrow. 'But I care about you, man. And I'm not leaving you in a locked space with... temptation," Joan crossed their arms, gesturing to all the bottles behind the counter. "I'm not risking that. And besides, I'm not only in charge of this place, but I'm also your friend - and as your friend, I promise you that leaving you here is more than a bad idea."

I threw my hands up. "What am I supposed to do? Bring him back to my apartment?"

Silence echoed in the air.

"No," I said, pointed at Joan who was trying not to laugh. "Absolutely not. I barely know him. I met him today."

"It's at your place or out on the streets," Joan shrugged, still smiling. "Up to you."

I glared at him. "Come on, Roman," I muttered, grabbing Roman's bag and tossing it over my shoulder before helping him to his feet. Roman showed very little protest, pressing his face into my shoulder, sleepily.

Joan grinned madly at me. "Have fun."

"Shut up."

----------

"Roman. Roman. ROMAN," I gritted my teeth, poking the sleeping man awake.

Roman let out another tiny whine, refusing to even open his eyes. "Wha?" he slurred, voice low.

"You gotta walk for a bit."

"Nooo-"

"I am not walking into my apartment with a guy who looks seven different kinds of intoxicated."

Roman pouted but I guess he was too tired to argue, forcing himself to stand shakily on his own.

I lead the way, occasionally checking behind me to make sure Roman was still following.

This... this was insane! Was I really taking this - this complete stranger back to my apartment?

I pressed the elevator button three times, silently willing it to come down faster.

Rumors have already been flying around about me - all about the heartbroken gay man on the third floor that turned stone cold when his boyfriend -

Needless to say, I didn't need any more rumors: stupid people claiming that I had finally snapped and gotten an escort or some other crazy thing. People like to gossip.

The elevator opened - finally - and thankfully it was empty. "Come on, Roman," I said, waving him forward.

Roman stood there, looking dazed for a second before winking at me. "If you wanted to get me alone, you could've just asked," he tried - a sad, sad attempt at flirting.

"Shut up and get in, you moron," I said, yanking him harshly inside the elevator before the door closed.

I crossed my arms over my chest, as far as I could possibly get from Roman, who had barely made it inside before the door closed. He had plopped himself on the floor and was leaning against the wall and the elevator slowly took us to the third floor - my floor.

"Come on," I said again once we reached my floor, nudging Roman with my boot. "Here's our stop."

"M'kay pretty purple boy," Roman muttered, dizzily getting to his feet with a little help from me. "Carrry meee," he begged, poking my shoulder half-heartedly.

"No. Just... no."

Roman pouted, but didn't argue. After a moment I sighed, swinging his arm over my shoulder. "Hang on, alright?" I managed, shifting Roman's bag - which was on my other shoulder - to carry them both.

We reached my door with no big issues. I leaned Roman against the wall, while I quickly reaching into my boot - unzipping it and pulling out the key while Roman stared at me strangely. "Whyyy you keeep youur keyy in theerreee?" he managed.

"Because I do."

"Oh. Okay," he said, taking a step towards me and collapsing over my shoulder again.

"Now get in," I said, grunting at the effort to keep Roman upright and opened my door.

Together we managed to make it to my couch, only running into the wall twice, before I threw Roman onto my couch and almost instantly fell asleep, curling himself into fetal position.

I would have to just hope that Roman wouldn't puke before I woke up in the morning.

I sighed, tossing Roman's bag on the other end of the couch. Why did he decide to go to the bar tonight? And why did he get himself so drunk? I guess I'll just have to wait until the morning...

----------
Point of View: Roman, First Person

I flopped unceremoniously over the leg of the Purple Boy's dark brown couch, exhausted. I... was... so.. drunk, ugh. I was so tired and every part of my body hurt - I forgot about this, the aftermath of bar hopping.

I know that bar-hopping is a bad way to deal with your problems, but after making Thomas the prince in my story... I - I just couldn't deal with the pain, it hurt, it hurt so badly, just a painful reminder that he was gone, that'd I'd - I'd never get the chance to say see him smile again, hear his beautiful laugh, and the way he'd unintentionally start to hum the tune to whatever song he'd been listening to recently...

"Roman."

I let out an involuntary whimper, but forced myself to twist and flip over onto my back, wincing and sleepily up at the purple haired stranger.

I jumped a little in surprise to see him so close, kneeling next to the couch.

The purple stranger pointed at a small trashcan, placed only a foot or so away. "If you feel like you're gonna hurtle, do it in there - otherwise you're cleaning it in the morning."

I nodded slowly, feeling tired again and shutting my eyes...

"Roman."

"What?" I muttered, opening one eye and gasped at his sudden closeness - his face only inches away from my own. "W-What are you doing?"

The dark stranger wordlessly placed a gentle hand on my chin, softly guiding my lips to his and giving me plenty of time to tell him no if I wanted. But I let my eyes flutter shut and I couldn't help the smallest of gasp that escaped me when our lips finally met. The purple stranger didn't miss it - smirking a little before crawling into the couch and hovering over me on all fours.

His eyes swept over me but I couldn't tear myself away from his dark eyes and the way his bangs fell slightly over his eyes.

And then he pulled my face closer to his, connecting our lips roughly. I was quick to follow his lead, hands tangling in his pretty purple colored hair and the other grabbing his t-shirt to pull him closer.

The dark stranger took control of the kiss, grinding his hips against mine. Multiple flashes of orange flared behind my eyes as they rolled back, purple stranger planting kisses over my neck. After a couple tries his lips landed on a certain spot the made me shudder and moan softly. I didn't have to open my eyes to know he was smirking.

He attacked that spot repeatedly until I was squirming under him, back arching slightly as he continued to grind on me and I couldn't help the sounds of pleasure that slipped from my mouth -

"How could you Roman?"

I gasped eyes flying open to see - see THOMAS.

He stood there looking exactly as he had on the day that he left - in his military uniform - light brown eyes watering with betrayal. "How could you do this to me, Roman? Lower your standards to... to this?" he asked, gesturing to the man who now had a hand under my shirt and was kissing my jaw along my collarbone.

I tried to respond but the pleasure was blanking my mind, as the man's lips drifted lower and lower.

"I thought that we were forever," Thomas continued, hands in fists at his side that contrasted with the tears rolling down his cheeks. "How could you?"

"Y-You left me," I managed, shoving the stranger away from me so that I could think, hands rising to my temples as I tried to catch my breath. "Y-You lefT me... what did you expect?" I choked out.

"I left because of my job, because I was helping people who needed it, Roman. Don't be so selfish," Thomas crossed his arms over his chest. "You can't bear to think of anyone but yourself."

"But you LEFT ME," Roman repeated, hands trembling and eyes beginning to water. "You weren't HERE when the military come to my doorstep. You weren't HERE when they told me that there had been an accident. You weren't HERE when they told me that you had been ambushed and you saved them at the cost of your life. I never stopped you from going, but... but I guess I should've been a little more selfish if it meant that you'd still be here."

"After I was gone, you were so STUCK in your mind that Patton and Logan had to take care of you for months until you finally got your act together. And for what? For you to go bar-hopping at the mere thought of me? You want me to come back, but yet you let him - a guy whose name you don't even know touch you in places where only I was ever supposed to," Thomas argued, waving a hand off to my left, probably at the dark stranger, but I didn't bother to look and confirm.

"Did you expect for me to be alone for the rest of my life?!"

"I was your husband, Ro! Of course I don't want that for you! But I expected better of you than this mess that you've reduced yourself to!" Thomas ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "I mean take a look at yourself, Ro! You're sleep-deprived, drunk, and in the arms of - of a complete stranger! Face it!"

"How did you expect me to live without you?! I - I need you, Tommy, I need you..."

"Move on, Ro," Thomas crossed his arms back over his chest. "Move on from me, just - but not like this. I want you to be happy - not slowly killing yourself to get to where I'm at faster. Move on."

"Tommy, please, please, come home, I miss you so much," I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. "I need you."

Thomas's eyes softened. "I'm sorry, Ro, I can't do that. Please, move on. But... but not like this," Thomas shook his head. "Move on in a healthy way, not with whatever drinks the nearest bar has until they cut you off."

"Please don't go..." I whispered pathetically, watching as Thomas's body started to fade from view only after a few moments.

"I'm sorry, Ro. Promise me that you won't throw your life away for me," Thomas whispered, tears still glittering behind his eyes. "Promise."

"No, no please don't leave me again! No, not again!!"

"Goodbye, Roman," Thomas whispered. "Lo siento, mi amor..."

Thomas faded away and I scrambled drunkly to my feet, hand reaching out to where he had been just moments before.

It felt like I - I was always too late...

"I - I promise, I promise," I mumbled...

I shot up, gasping and with tears rolling down my cheeks. I - A dream? It was all a dream?

Tommy...

I groaned, hand flying to my head as a headache suddenly slammed into me with a force not unlike being hit by a bus. Or maybe a train would be a better example. Like one of those high-speed ones...

I blinked, eyes trying to adjust to the bright sunlight that filled the room coming from somewhere off to the left.

...

Wait a second.

W-Where was I?

I slowly shoved the fuzzy, dark purple blanket off my legs - when had that gotten there? - and cautiously rose to my feet, looking around the room for anything familiar. Anything -

"Mornin', Sunshine," a voice said and I spun around to see -

Pretty Purple Boy?

He was leaning against a wall, a container of strawberries in his hand. He seemed quite unsurprised to see me, casually popping grabbing another strawberry. "You want one?" he offered, tilting the container towards me as I stood there in stunned silence.

"Wha- Sorry, what am I doing here? And - And where is... here?" I asked, holding my breath. We hadn't actually... had we?

Pretty boy rolled his eyes, oblivious to my concern. "Found you at a bar. I tried to get you home but you were being... uncooperative to say the least. The bar closed, so instead of leaving you drunk on the streets, I brought you back to my place."

I felt my cheeks heat up a little at that, embarrassment shining through. Man, I didn't remember anything from yesterday. How much of a fool did I make of myself?

I didn't even want to know.

"I got a couple of eggs if you're hungry," Purple boy continued. "Bathroom's down the hall, first door on the right. And I can lend you a change of clothes if you want," he offered. "But, uh, you might want to let someone know that you're alive first," Purple Boy explained, walking into the kitchen. Over the half-wall, I saw him grab some rectangular gold shape - my phone, of course. He reached forward, holding it out to me.

"Oh - uh, why thank you," I couldn't help being half in shock. "But, um, why are you... helping... me? I mean, we barely know each other," I pointed out, grabbing my phone from his outstretched hand.

Purple Boy shrugged wordlessly, one hand braced against the counter as his bangs inevitably fell over his eyes. "Just the right thing to do, I guess."

"Well then I thank your inner morality - oh my stars!!" I suddenly, and admittedly a bit frantic. "Patton! I was supposed to call him!!"

I fumbled with my phone, exhaling harshly when I realized it was off. I groaned, waiting impatiently for my phone to come back to life. "Oh he's gonna kill me..."

"Sorry," Purple Boy apologized. "I charged it while you were sleeping, but it kept shutting down - you kept getting a lot of notifications. Should be fine now though."

Instead of feeling comforted, I groaned. "Patton is definitely going to kill me."

The purple boy raised his eyebrows at that, but didn't say anything else.

"So," I said, breaking the semi-tense silence between us. "So you... saved me?" I said, grinning.

The Purple Boy frowned at that, brushing his bangs over his eyes, self-consciously, not responding.

"Oh come on," I teased. "Might I at least know the name of my hero - you dark, purple prince?" I tried. "Pretty Purple Boy is a bit of a mouthful," I persuaded.

Purple Boy rolled his eyes are me, shoving his hands into the pockets of his hoodie - almost looking amused that I had even asked. "Nice try," he said, taking a few steps back and walking into his small kitchen.

I obviously followed.

"Ah, are you granting me full creative control with whatever nickname I decide on?" I pushed, grinning madly.

"No, no, no," Purple Boy said. "Absolutely not."

I smirked at that. "Alrighty, Hot Topic."

"Roman -"

"You know my name!" I protested, insanely curious now. "It's only fair I know yours," I argued.

"Yeah - not happening," the man said, turning away from me.

"Oh, I insist, Mister... I'm afraid I'm going to need your name."

The man didn't even bother to give me a response, but I caught a glimpse of a smile.

I sighed, giving up momentarily and glancing back at my phone, swiping away many, many, Instagram and Snapchat notifications. I'd check them later.

I couldn't help the gasp that escaped me at what was left.

(24) Missed Call from: Dad!! :D

Oh.

My.

Stars.  

____________________

Woah, this might just be the longest chapter I've ever written, wow.  I hope you liked it!!! X3
- Max :DD