A/N: Combining two au's into one! Yeah!

Also, there is more to this story than you may think, read some of the descriptions.
.............

He knew he shouldn't have been able to see it. He shouldn't have been able to touch it, see other's as well.

He knew he shouldn't be allowed to follow it so easily.

So he never really paid much attention to it, he tried to he'd not too, but when he was alone, he'd just mess with it between his fingers, feeling the string slip right through, it kinda like silk.

Virgil paused that thought as he dropped the string, "that's how fetishes are made, Nope."

He sighed as he got up, getting ready for work. He worked full time during the summer at a local theater on lights and just general backstage things.

When he was sure he'd blend right into and dark background, he left, feeling deep regret as the summer heat hit him.

Paying it no mind, he got in his car and blasted the AC, driving to the theater. The theater had recently brought some new actors for the shows, and Virgil was going to get the luxury of meeting them.

Oh boy.

When he pulled up, he already saw his friend, Patton talking to someone outside. He cast a glance at Patton's string and saw it was connected to the guy he was talking to. Though, Virgil knew Patton couldn't see the string, so he likely didn't know.

Virgil walked out and walked over.

"Hey Pat, Who you talking too?" Virgil asked, causing the pair to jump a bit.

Pat flushed, "uh, this is Logan, he starts working here today. He's working with you from what I'm aware."

"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Patton's best friend Virgil, and I'm the backstage director," Virgil hummed.

"Nice to meet you as well. I'm Logan, pleased to be working with you." Logan cast a small glance at Virgil's pinkie, then a sharp glance towards the door, and Virgil did the same, seeing his string led inside.

"Hey pat, can you tell the stage manager I'm here, want to talk to the new guy."

"All right!" Patton said giddily before running inside.

Virgil glared at Logan, "you see it too?"

"If you're talking about the red string around everyone's pinkies, yes."

"You hurt Pat, I hurt you."

"I'm connected to Patton?"

Virgil blinked, "you can't see your own, can you?"

"And you can?"

Virgil nodded, grabbing his own string, able to twirl it in his fingers.

"Isn't that a bit-"

"Unfair? Yeah, which is why I tend to ignore it. But now I know my soulmate is in there."

Logan shrugged, "most people would be happy to meet their soulmate."

"I don't want to fall for someone because of a stupid string. I want to fall for someone naturally."

"Yet you seem so readily happy to push me onto Patton."

"Because you'll definitely fall in love. I've known him my entire life, you'd fall in love, string or not."

"You say that as if you have experience?"

Virgil shook his head, "I have never fallen in love. My string kinda breaks my belief I'll let with someone. Patton is just someone you want to get to know more. You're lucky he's you're soulmate. A lot of people in this theater company alone have tried to get into his pant's. He's to innocent for al that quite yet."

"Fond of him?"

"He's like my brother."

"Ahh."

"Anyways, let's head inside." The two headed in, and Virgil informed Logan of Patton's schedule and said of Logan wanted, he'd rework his own schedule to match up with Patton's.

Logan simply sighed and headed off towards backstage as Virgil walked to the stage manager, or, better known as the best actor at the theater and the owner, Thomas.

"Hiya Virgil, ready to meet the new actors? Heard you already met Logan." Thomas said, then made sure no one could hear them, "so, he your soul-"

"Patton's. He can see them too, but not his own."

"I see."

"But mine is here. Apparently."

"Think they're one of the new actors?"

Virgil shrugged. Thomas was the only other person besides Logan to know. He couldn't see the strings himself, but he could touch them. He also could cut them. He has never done it before, but he knows he can do it having almost cut his own string before. Virgil managed to stop him.

Because of that, they became fast friends and got along over their abilities. Patton was the only one who didn't know.

"Let's meet the actor's anyways." Thomas moved Virgil to the stage where a bunch of young actors were talking.

He went down the line, Remmy, some dude who went by deceit for some fucking reason, Talyn, Joan, Jo, among many others, and he ended on a beautiful face.

Virgil took him in, candy apple green eyes, sun kissed skin and reddish brown hair that looked fluffy enough to run his fingers through. This man towered over him a bit, and god, he was gorgeous. His smile was so pearly white.

"And this is Roman. Roman, this is Virgil, he's the backstage manager."

"Nice to meet you. Aren't you suffering in all that black."

"I rock my aesthetic."

Roman laughed, "that you do."

Virgil felt star struck by this man, his heart fluttering in his chest. It was crazy how much he liked this guy from a mere glance. His eyes glanced at his string and what do you know? It was connected to Roman.

Of course it was.

Virgil thought he saw another string, but didn't see any other string leading anywhere and ignored it.

Roman didn't even notice Virgil's flicker. Thomas did. As did Logan from across the room.

"So you'll make sure I shine on stage."

Virgil rolled his eyes, "seems like you already are the center of attention. Don't think you'll need my help."

"Was that... a backhanded compliment?"

"Yes it was pretty boy. Look forward to working with you." Virgil hummed, then turned to Thomas, "I'm going to check the equipment and train some of the newbies. Good luck."

"Good luck to you too," Thomas chuckled.

Roman's interest piqued in Virgil. He wasn't sure what made him so curious about him, but he decided to ask Thomas some questions.

"Are your good friends with him?"

Thomas nodded, "I am. Not as close as Patton though. They've been best friends since before they worked here."

"Have they worked here long?"

"They work here part time during the school year, but full time in the summer. College students. I believe it's their senior year, so they've been working here about four years. In the time, Virgil became the back stage manager of sorts. He's my right hand man."

"He single?" Roman joked.

Thomas chuckled, "Yeah, he is. Good luck though, he hasn't dated anyone since I've known him."

"Why's that?"

Thomas smiled, "He's a real romantic. Believes in soulmates and all that junk, you know. Probably thinks he'll know right away," Thomas lies. Well, half-lied. Virgil did believe in soulmates, he could see the strings no one else could. He also knew from Virgil's glances that Roman was his soulmate. So he might as well nudge the guy in the right direction.

"That's pretty cute, actually."

"Oh girl, are you already crushing?" Remmy teased, the man pulling his sunglasses down his face to wiggle his brows.

"Oh shut up."

Roman saw Virgil working his ass off all day, making sure everything was in place, ordered the way that worked, he was amazing. And his features were, unworldly and gorgeous. His flawless, pale skin, his soft, coffee brown hair with purple tips, his beautiful violet eyes... the eyeliner was a nice touch too.

Roman had to admit, this was the first time he crushed on someone so hard. Virgil wasn't normally his type, either. He liked beautiful women and strong handsome men, but dainty, uniquely beautiful and handsome guy?

That was new.

Not that he was complaining.

Virgil brought this unique view to things and the others who worked there, including Thomas seemed to heavily rely on him.

"Girl, just ask him out if you're crushing that hard. You're going to catch flies with your mouth that far to the ground." Remmy teased once more.

Roman rolled his eyes at his new coworker who red him too well. "I don't think I'm his type."

It was Remmy's turn to roll his eyes, "I'm going to let you in on a little secret," Remmy reached for the air and yanked, forcing Roman tumbling forward.

"What the-"

Remmy tugged at the air, "I can see this string, it's like red, tied to your pinky and connects you to your soulmate. Like, I can't see mine, but I can see everyone else's. Your string is connected to Virgil, and from how he glanced at your hand earlier, I like think he can see it too."

"Red string? Soulmate, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Would nonsense be able to tug the mother fucking air?"

"I- Virgil is my soulmate?"

"It seems totally so. Go get him girl."

So Roman took a leap.

He approached Virgil as he was talking to Patton and Logan, the three of them discussing lighting and soundboard.

"Hey Virgil, could I ask you something?" Roman interrupted as politely as he could.

Virgil raised a brow, "sure, what is it?"

"Well, forgive my forwardness, but would you like to go out with me sometime? Movies, park, just the two of us?"

Red flushed to Virgil's face, and Roman noticed Virgil's glances now, he definitely knew they were soulmates.

"While I'm flattered, I'm going to be busy for the next few weeks. If you still want to go out sometime on the seventeenth, I'm free then."

From what he overheard before, Virgil wouldn't be busy at all this week, maybe he didn't want the string to influence his choices?

Listen to him, 'string'

"Alright, but I don't think I'll sway my affections anytime soon."

Patton smiled at Virgil's flushing face, "see you around Roman," Patton said warmly.

The next few weeks went by with both of them being decently busy with Work. Roman had to work on lines and remember cues and how to properly stage fight, as well as get used to props.

Whenever any sense of uneasiness came upon him, or he was frustrated, he'd see Virgil working hard behind the scenes, and immediately feel more motivated.

When the seventeenth rolled around, Roman asked Virgil again.

"I know this really cool record store not to far from here, would you like to check it out with me?"

Virgil smiled a bit, unable to hide the red that crawled up his face, "Yeah. Sounds great."

So they headed off after work, and honestly, they had a good time. Roman did joke about Virgil's music tastes, but honestly, 'emo' music wasn't really all that emo. Most normal people loved all of those 'emo' bands because the music was catchy.

When they both had bought a few records, with promises of hanging at the others house sometime to listen to them, they headed for coffee.

"So, what made you interested in working behind the scenes?" Roman asked as he took a sip of his white girl coffee.

"I like theater," Virgil began, "but I have stage friend and a bit of anxiety, so I thought backstage would suit me better. Funnily enough, it did."

"Well, you always look like you're having fun, so I guess it's perfect."

Virgil laughed, "Yeah, it is. What about you? What made you want to act?"

He shrugged, "I liked watching musicals and plays as a kid, and seeing the same people be able to portray so many different characters in different ways inspired me. And when I started, I saw how happy I could make people, and then I did it because I wanted it make people smile."

"That's.... amazing." Virgil looked so entranced with Roman, and Roman was as equally entranced with Virgil.

"Hey Virgil, there was something that was bothering me that I wanted to bring up."

"What's that?"

"Well-"

Roman was interrupted by Virgil's phone. "I'm sorry, let me see who it is. Might be an emergency. Virgil checked the caller I.D. and paled, answering quickly. "Hello?"

Virgil seemed to get paler as he hung up the phone.

"I'm sorry, I have to go."

"What happened?"

"Patton got into an accident and they're not sure he's going to make it, I have to go!"

"I'll drive you, come on."

Roman didn't say anything as they drove to the hospital. Virgil wasn't going to respond. He could easily tell Virgil was pretty shaken up about this.

If he didn't know any better, he would've assumed Virgil was in live with Patton. He learned through Thomas that Virgil and Patton got lost together for a couple of days and when they were found, Virgil with a broken leg and Parton with a sprained wrist, the two had become closer.

He didn't bother getting out of the car right away when they arrived. Virgil bolted as quick as he could into the building as Roman parked the car and walked in, seeing Logan in the waiting room.

Logan spotted him, "oh, Roman. You come from your date with Virgil? I just saw him bolt past here."

"Yeah. What are you doing here?"

Logan crosses his arms, looking at the ground, "I was in the car when the accident happened. I wasn't injured, but Patton..." Logan grimaced.

"Why aren't you in his room?"

"The doctor's asked me to leave. Can you... can you walk with me there. I think Virgil might yell at me once he finds out I was in the car."

"Alright," Roman nodded. "I don't think he blames you though."

"We'll find out."

Virgil ran in as the doctor was leaving.

"Ah, you're his emergency contact, I'm presuming?"

"Virgil Sanders!"

"He's fine. He's going to make it. He touched it out. We managed to save him on time."

Virgil visibly relaxed, sighing in relief, "can i see him."

"Go ahead." The doctor walked out and Virgil rushes to Patton's bed. Patton has his left arm in a cast and his right leg was also in a cast, but other than that, besides a few scrapes and cuts, he was fine.

"Oh god, Pat, you okay?" Virgil rushed as he sat down next to the bed.

Patton nodded, a small smile, "I'm alright. I heard the driver who ran into me wasn't as lucky."

"What happened?"

"I offered Logan a ride home since his car wasn't working. We were halfway there when my side of the car was slammed into by another car. That's all I remember before waking up here."

Virgil's eyes water, and then he was crying, hugging Patton while sniffling, "I'm s-So glad yo-you're o-okay!" He whined. Patton rubbed Virgil's back with his healthy hand, letting Virgil calm down.

When Virgil's tears stopped, Virgil pulled away, and Patton smiled at him, fluffing up Virgil's hair. "V, when I thought I was going to die, I realized something."

"What's that Pat?" Virgil asked softly, holding Patton's hand in his own. He didn't realize before that Patton had two extra strings. They led to nowhere, and looked faded, as if they were mistakes. Wasn't important.

"I don't want to die with regrets," Patton sighed, smile still on his face. "You remember when we got lost in the woods for a week?"

"Five days, but yes. We almost didn't survive. If you hadn't packed all those snacks we might've starved."

"You brought water bottles, you saved us too."

Virgil smiled at the memory, "we saved each other."

"I think, since back then, that..." Patton took a breath, "I love you."

Virgil paused, as did Logan and Roman who entered the room, hearing everything, but not being seen.

Virgil flushes, "Pat! I'm sure you're mistaking!"

"I'm not! I've loved you since we were kids. You can't tell me you never felt something? You always made sure I was safe, warned guys and girls not to hurt me. You did more than just friends would do."

Virgil dropped his head. He always used the, 'like a brother' excuse when he did anything for Patton. Could it b-

"Pat, I'm not the right guy for you. Please, why n-"

"Virgil! Please, you're beautiful, you're hardworking. I know it's selfish to say all this, you seem to like Roman plenty, but... I don't want to give you up to him."

Virgil looked at their hands, and it made him upset they had no string together, making this hurt so much more.

He couldn't have Patton. Patton's soulmate was Logan.

He accepted that. He accepted him and Patton had no chance. And his heart, it throbbed around Roman. Yet, here he was, getting confessed to by Patton, his childhood friend.

Not his soulmate.

"I... maybe I do like you Pat, but we aren't meant to be."

"Why not! Who gets to decide that! Some stupid red string!"

Virgil froze, so did Roman, so did Logan.

"You can see it?"

"No. I heard you talk about it with the others, and... I can feel them."

"Then you should know we're not connected Patton."

"So what?" Patton exclaimed, "we should decide who we love, not a string!"

"Pat-"

Patton cut him off, and in view of Logan and Roman, kissed Virgil. He grabbed him by his hoodie and kissed him.

Virgil didn't hate it, in fact, he liked it, he felt secure in their kiss.

But this was wrong.

So, so, so, wrong.

He pushed Patton away, flushed, not looking at him.

"I'm sorry Patton, I believe you belong with your soulmate, not me."

"Is Roman your soulmate then?" Patton asked softly.

Virgil nodded, "he is. I think I liked him before I knew it, but yes, he's my soulmate."

"Is Logan mine?"

"Yes..."

"Logan's sweet, he's cute, but Virgil, I only love you."

He shook his head at Patton's words, "give him more time. He's the right one for you." He grabbed Patton's hand, and looked at it, to see the string of doom, before his eyes went wide and he fell backwards in his chair, hitting the floor.

Roman and Logan rushes in, "Virgil!"

"V, whats wrong?"

"You have three strings. You had one just a minute ago," Virgil muttered. Logan curiously glanced over, and where before Patton had one string, he now had three.

"I wonder..." Logan found the string that lead to nowhere, and knew it was his, the. Followed the next, which led to Roman, then followed the last one, which led to Virgil. Virgil had three strings now, one leading to Roman, another to Patton, and one to nowhere, which he knew was him. And Roman had three strings. "We're all soulmates."

"That's impossible! Even having three is rare!" Virgil exclaimed, pink in the face.

"Besides, if that's true, how is it all of us only had one string before?"

"You do remember they just kissed, right?" Logan prompted.

"You saw that?" Virgil flushed.

"We happened to walk in when Patton confessed his feelings. Sting a bit since I have developed a crush on him, but I can't stop someone else's feelings."

Patton was flushed now, and was tugging at the strings. Now Virgil was also his soulmate? He couldn't have been happier.

"What do we do know then? If we're all soulmates?" Roman pressed.

"I don't know, but a house together and grow old or some crap like that. Get married?" Virgil joked.

"That's a wonderful idea!" The others exclaimed.

"Wait, no, I was joking. What the-"

"And that's how you moved in together?" Thomas repeated.

"Yes. I'm still wondering why we only had one string in the first place."

Thomas messes with his own, not being to see it, but know it was there, "I was told that when a string was cut, you lose memory of it being there. If you happen to rekindle romance, or connect romantically, the string would reappear. It would make sense that once you and Patton kissed, your strings grew back, and since you were already connected, it connected you to your other soulmates."

"But why were they cut?"

"You, Patton, is Logan Probably cut them. Maybe all three of you did until you had a single string left. Then you forgot. It's hard to tell."

"I'm left with more questions then answers."

"Just enjoy it Virgil," Thomas suggested happily, "you met your soulmates, and you know at least two of them love you."

"Well, Yeah...."

"Then don't let the past hold you."

"I suppose so. I got to go, it's my turn to cook."

"Have fun!"

"Ugh."

................

A/N: you thought it was prinxiety, but it was really LAMP