As may be obvious from the title, trigger warning of suicide. Don't read if this upsets you! Also, this is themed off of the song "My R" (above if you want to listen)
~Jay

Virgil hid his face in the pillow, not ready for today. But it had to be done. He had to go. To school, but another connotation of the phrase was also relevant.

He passed his mum on the stairs, holding back his coughing until he got downstairs at the toxic smell of cigarettes. He walked out of the door slinging his bag over his shoulder, on his way to school.

Virgil arrived at the beautiful garden on the roof of the school. It was a beautiful place to spend his last moments. But just as he pulled one sleeve of his jacket off, he noticed another person, note in hand and crying.

"What are you doing?!" He cried out. Shit. He should have kept his mouth shut. The person turned, shock in his eyes.

"Don't jump. Whatever reason you have, there's a better reason to live."
"B-but..." the boy looked up at him, his glasses steamed up and his cardigan sleeves damp from crying so much. "But... he... he left me... he left me for some other guy!"
"Are you serious? At least you've never gotten everything taken from you! You will find love again but I swear to God, you better not take that chance at love from everyone who loves you and will love you all the same!" Virgil shouted. The boy smiled. He hugged Virgil.

"Thanks, I feel a bit better now..."

~~~

The next day Virgil arrived at the roof again. 'Surely this will be the day' he thought. No, again someone was there. A kid he had seen getting insulted earlier.

"Don't." Virgil's voice was low, slightly afraid. The person turned. His tie was loose and his normally calm exterior was broken. Virgil walked up beside him.

"Why?"
"No one here cares... I try so hard but nothing changes! I'm sick of it!"
"You gotta be kidding me... What about at home? Do people care there?"
"Yes... My mother always shows how much she loves me... And my dad is so... He cares so much" the boy laughed, slightly dry but the adoration behind it was clear. Virgil forced a smile.

"And how would they feel if a police officer knocked on the door and told them their son was dead?"
"They'd... They'd be distraught..."
"And what if you went home and hugged them and told them how happy you were that they were there for you?"
"They'd be... Happy. "
"So how about you go home and tell them? I'll explain to the school office."
"Thanks..."
"You're welcome." Virgil chuckled. He watched as the boy left.

~~~

The rest of the week and the next week as well, every day, he found someone. One boy who wanted out for mockery of his scars; a girl who couldn't handle her friend's cruelty; a couple were more about grades and a boy who was insulted for his love of theatre and attraction to men. Every day, he consoled the person there. Every day, they left with hope. Every day, his presence was unquestioned. Rumours spread across school about the "rooftop counsellor kid" and Virgil felt pride whenever he watched the person leave. Yet, every reason to live only gave him another reason to die. No one asked what he wanted on the roof, no one knew.

~~~

He frowned as he reached the roof. Another person, seriously? The boy had a sash that was bright red.

"Hey... I guess you're here to convince me not to jump?"
"How did you know?"
"Word gets around. I came up here... To end my life... Because I can't bear the constant cigarettes, alcohol, heroin and God only knows what else. I'm done with the burns and bruises, the cuts and the belt marks. I'm done with all of it."
"D-don't-" Virgil wanted to cry. He couldn't stop this person. He had no reason to live himself and they were one in the same... The other turned, smiling bitterly and crying. Virgil stepped back, holding his face in his hands and trying to breathe. The other stepped closer.

"The name's Roman... You?"
" V-Virgil... "
"I guess you win today Virgil... I guess you can work miracles... Make people want to live again. It's unique."

~~~

There he was, on the edge. His face streaked with tears, his jacket with his suicide note on the floor, ready to be found when he hit the concrete below. He climbed over the railing, his feet half off the edge and he swallowed against the limp in his throat. 'This is it,' he thought, 'this is where I die...' And he looked down at his doom. Enough to kill him, he knew that much. Landing feet first would at best injure him but he would tip forwards and probably land on his front. Painful, but quick. He let out one more sob before leaning as far as he could while still holding on to the railing. He smiled and his grip relaxed. He tipped forward further and further until... A pair of arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him back to the railing.

"No! Let me go!" Virgil cried, he tried to fight back but his body was especially weak and whoever it was clearly had enough strength to keep a hold on him and lift him back over the railing, sitting with him in their lap, shushing him.

"Virgil... Breathe with me... Come on..." Roman's voice was low and calming. Virgil relaxed almost immediately into Roman, slumping but still shaking as his body was racked with sobs. Roman placed a hand in Virgil's hair, combing through it and getting a surprise when Virgil almost immediately lay heavy and limp against him.

"Don't, you're my reason to live, let me be yours?"
"Yes..." Virgil smiled, his eyes still blurry with tears. Roman took Virgil's chin in his hand and tilted his head up to kiss him softly.

"Thank you, for saving me"
"Thank you for saving me first"
~~~

"Hey Ro?"
"Yes Virge?"
"Remember our first kiss?"
"On the rooftop?"
"Thank you, for saving me."
"Thank you for saving me first."
"W-well... I wanted to know... w-will you..." Virgil got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"
"Yes..."