Soulmate au

Roman has heard of the supposed story of the metal statue of a happy man in pants, a t-shirt, and a cardigan wrapped around his shoulders that resides in the park near his apartment, he would really like to believe it. The story was that if the statue's soulmate touches it's hand then the statue will turn human. Roman has sat there and stared at the statue on his days out of the theater, he watched people take pictures with him and hold his hand while doing so, he watched desperate girls, guys, and non-binary passerby's hold the hand and hoping for the statue to turn human. He wanted to try, so badly, but, believe it or not, the brave and prince-like 25 year old was scared.

Roman was very prideful, so of course he was scared of going up there, touching the hand, and getting embarrassed when the statue doesn't turn human, even though everyone who's ever done that was turned down. Roman somehow managed to fall in love with that metal, freckled, smiling face that he stares at, he also passes it every day going to and from his home. He talks with his two friends, Logan and Virgil, about this problem.

"Would it be satisfactory if we were to accompany you?" Logan asked. Roman knew Logan, who was 28, because when he wasn't doing his main job, which was teaching high school science (chemistry, biology, and geology), he worked at the theater Roman performs at as a technician.

"No, it's no use. Even if I do try it, it won't work, the story's probably fake." Roman grumbled.

"Let's not jump to any conclusions. No one knows if the story is a falsehood or not, I think-"

"*Gasp* Princey saying a soulmate story is fake? I never thought I'd hear that sentence aloud." Virgil interrupted Logan. Virgil also has two jobs, he'd usually work as a barista at a popular Starbucks, but at the theater he helps out with the props and sets. Virgil is the youngest at 23, having just finished college he needed both jobs to help pay off his stupid student loans, he was studying as an art student and decided he'd paint and design props at the theater. Both Roman and Logan gave Virgil deadpanned looks, Logan because Virgil interrupted him and Roman because Virgil's being a sarcastic little emo nightmare.

"I'm not saying that I think it's fake, I'm just saying that someone probably somehow managed to spread that rumor. Also, there's a small chance that it would work for me. Now, Logan, I think the controls for some of the mics are messed up, maybe you could-" Roman reasons, trying to get out of the situation, but he was cut off by Virgil.

"You're not getting off topic, if it doesn't work for you-Logan get back here." Virgil ordered, because Logan had actually taken Roman seriously and started making his way towards the soundboard.

"As I was saying," Virgil continued once Logan was standing next to them, "it doesn't matter if it doesn't work for you because it hasn't worked for anyone, so we are going now, and doing it. I don't care about your pride, c'mon." And so, Virgil pulled Logan and Roman along with him and soon all three of them were standing by the smiling statue that Roman somehow managed to fall in love with. First Logan tried, no luck, same with Virgil, then it was Roman's turn. He was very hesitant to go, so Virgil pushed him forward and as Roman stumbled he used the hand to stop him from face planting into the podium the statue was on, only to spin around and be sitting on the podium while holding a very confused man in a blue polo shirt with a gray cardigan wrapped around his shoulders bridal style.

So the story was true, whoever touched the man's hand was his soulmate. Roman was the soulmate!! All around him people either cheered, stared in awe, or pouted because it wasn't them. Meanwhile, the poor 25 year old man was so confused, he didn't know where he was, who these people were, or what day it was. The last thing he could remember was that he was in the hospital and his parents were standing over him as metal slowly overtook his face, he made sure to smile though, always wanting to stay happy.

"Uhh, how-how did I get here? Where is here?" The man, Roman has yet to learn his name, asked. Roman has noticed his confusion and slight discomfort, he also noticed people taking out their phones and going on whatever social media they had to spread this, that or slowly getting closer and wanting to take a better look.

"Can you walk?" Roman asked.

"Uhh, I think so. I'm not sure, but I think I can do it." The man smiled up at Roman, his face began turning red when he actually realized that this seriously attractive man was holding him bridal style.

"Roman, people are crowding and Virgil doesn't like it, let's go back to your apartment." Logan rushes up to Roman while trying to comfort a shaking little Virgil, Roman nodded.

"Is it fine if I take you to my place? We need to get out of the public eye." Roman asked the man he was still carrying, walking slowly behind a hurrying Logan and Virgil just to make sure the person in his arms was comfortable with going to his place. The man said it was fine and five minutes later they were all at Roman's apartment, Logan trying to calm Virgil down on the couch and Roman talking with the man about everything that's going on.

"Wow! I was gone for eleven years?! I've been 25 for eleven years! I can't believe it." The man rambled.

"What's your name?" Roman asked him, leaning against the counter.

"It's Patton. What about you? What's the name of my shining, princely savior?" Patton mused. Roman had a light blush dusting his cheeks, but he stood gayer (because he's far from straight) and puffed his chest, his ego bigger than before.

"It's Roman. How'd you get-like, turned into a statue?" Roman questions.

"Well, I think after seeing Sleeping Beauty for the billionth time there was a renaissance fair and there was this spinning wheel thing that, if you pricked your finger on it, you'll turn to a statue until your supposed soulmate touches the finger you pricked. I did it and apparently it worked, I was slowly turning to metal until I was fully a statue. I smiled because I always had a smile on my face no matter what, even if it was fake." Patton had explained to Roman, Logan and a calm Virgil listening in.

"I'll show you everything you missed, don't worry. You missed some great restaurants, there's one right down the street. How about we go tonight? 6? Logan can help you and Virgil can help me?" Roman suggested. Patton had to admit, that was smooth, saying he missed great food then asking him to go with Roman at night to have it together, just the two of them.

"I would love to!" Patton squealed with delight, Roman nearly melted at how adorably happy Patton was.

Whose to say what happened? Maybe they started to date? Maybe they married two years later? Maybe they adopted a boy named Thomas and lived happily ever after? Like all fairytales end.

1255 words
Whoohoo!! Another oneshot over a thousand words! I know, I know, I should be asleep because it's already 11 and I have school tomorrow, but this has been in my drafts and I wanted to finish it. Hope you enjoy it!!

Love you all~
Xxx