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December 13th - 7:02pm
"Dios, it's so cold!" Roman exclaimed for the one hundredth time, huddled in the five, thick layers of clothing he had to put on, as, in his words, he would 'die of hypothermia'. Again, Virgil rolled his eyes at his boyfriends exaggerating, clenching the steering wheel a little bit tighter so he wouldn't kick the man out onto the snow.
Due to Roman living in a bone dry desert for most of his life, he's never actually seen snow, or been to Britain, for which the country is famously known for being cold and wet for eleven and a half months of each year. Obviously, Virgil was used to it, he's lived here for all his childhood, but sitting next to his fucking pansy of a boyfriend was really irritating him, and the last thing he needed to be was angry while knocking on the mahogany door to his family's home.
Roman let his eyes stare in wonderment over the passing scenery. Virgil had explained to him briefly the house was a few miles away from the town, so they would have to drive across mostly dangerous roads due to the black ice. But, Virgil has done this in the past, so he knew what he was doing, didn't stop Roman from worrying, though.
It was quite the relief for Roman to finally be distracted, though. Virgil really loved the man, but boy was he annoying. His amber eyes focused on the tall trees that were covered head to toe in glistening white snow. Roman was ecstatic to play in snow for the first time in his life, and rolled around on the street for half an hour.
Virgil was honestly debating leaving him there so he really did die of hypothermia.
"So" Roman began after he stayed silent for two minutes straight. A new record.
"Who will be there?" He inquired, still a little awkward about asking Virgil about these sort of things. He avoided asking too many questions, only the ones he absolutely needed to know, because whenever he did Virgil would tense and have this angry expression on his face, one Roman didn't like at all.
Even if he was hesitant, he always eventually gave an answer. "My older brother" he forced out, leaning back in the black, cushioned seat. "The others have gone to collect a few people from the airport, it's tradition, or whatever" Virgil muttered, not willing to give any more information about the subject. Nodding, Roman settled back to silence, wanting to give Virgil time to think, and calm himself, because this will be the hardest thing Roman was sure he will ever have to do.
He only perked up again when they reached the house. It was three stories from the outside, counting the attic, but Roman had been informed they have a basement which for most of the year is used as a second living room, but over Christmas it turns into a really big bedroom where all the kids sleep in.
Roman bit his lip in excitement, opening the car door but instantly slamming it shut when a cold breeze slapped him across the face. "Did we get on the wrong flight?! We must be in Antarctica!" He yelled out, pulling his scarf up to hide the bottom half of his face, visibly shivering for a few moments.
Once Virgil parked the car, he didn't move, his dark brown eyes staring at the house that stood before him. The lights on the bottom floor were all on, and he could see through one of the windows, spotting the television playing a random show he didn't care to take into account. What he was focused on was the man sitting on the couch, laptop on his legs, concentrated look on his face.
William was the second oldest child when it came to Virgil and his siblings - after the holidays he was always first to leave because his job was very high maintenance. Even so, he was able to settle down with his wife Elizabeth and create a family - one child they both named Mia. Virgil had only seen her once, and that was the day before he left, by now she should be ten years old. She probably doesn't even know she has another uncle.
Virgil didn't realise how hard he was gripping the steering wheel until he felt a hand gently place itself on top of his. Breathing out, he glanced over at his boyfriends reassuring gaze, telling him it will be alright, but it won't. Virgil knows an argument will break out, and Roman probably doesn't even know what a 'family argument' is over Christmas. What made it worse was there were a few kids Virgil had never met before, and new romantic partners he didn't know the names of, he was basically a stranger to his own family.
Lucky for Roman he was the most extraverted person to ever exist, and could become friends with anyone without being anxious, or stuttering over his worse, or wanting to run and hide away. Virgil envied him for that.
"Come on" Roman urged, opening the car door once more. He let out a disgusted sigh that wavered as soon as the cold world attacked him once more. Swinging his legs around, he let out a yelp when his feet buried under the snow, pouring into every little hole, attacking his feet that were particularly warm before this.
Roman let out a soft whine, forcing himself up and out of the car. He glared up at the dark, cloudy sky that still let out little snowflakes that landed on the white world around them. "How am I supposed to tan in this?" He cried out, throwing his arms around to show his annoyance. Virgil stood up, too, slamming his car door shut as he trudged through the snow to the trunk of the car.
"Dude, your skin is naturally tanned, it's probably ecstatic it's not in the sun anymore" he shot back dryly, tugging both his and Roman's suitcases out the car, dumping Roman's onto the floor as he held his by his side. He couldn't help but snort at the shriek that escaped Roman's lips as he quickly plucked his suitcase up from the ground, somehow able to cradle it to his chest.
"My precious babies!" He yelled out, almost bloody crying.
"Dude, oh my god, I'm so done with you" Virgil said with narrowed eyes, shaking his head as he locked his car and walked up to the front of the house, the two large doors staring at him silently, kind of like they were wondering why he was back. Roman ran up behind him, hammering on the door a few times before Virgil could even breathe. He bobbed up and down as he tried to preserve the body heat that could barely travel through the abundance of clothes he wore.
Virgil was about to shoot a bitter remark but he was silenced when he heard the all familiar click from in front of him. He didn't have time to think before the right mahogany door was pulled open, and there, in the flesh, was his older brother. He looked...different. Older, much older for someone who was only thirty three years old. It was probably the stress, from having to care for a family and a job that took up most of his time. An ongoing battle that really ages you.
He smiled that smile Virgil never forgot. The soft quirk of the left side of his lip, creating a gentle dimple in his pale skin. "Oh, thank Disney!" Roman flew into the house, standing in the foyer for a matter of point two seconds before he was rushing into the living room, screaming something incoherently about a fire place.
Virgil rolled his eyes, slapping a hand to his forehead as he tried to remember the reason why he decided to date this man. A deep chuckle made him escape from his thoughts as he remembered who was standing in front of him.
"Hey, Virge" he spoke in the caring tone reserved for his family, now that he was mature, of course. When he was a teenager, he wasn't like this at all, and Virgil almost had a hard time believing it was William. Elizabeth and Mia must've softened him up, because if they were to go back in time, this scene would look drastically different.
"Don't call me that" Virgil spat in response, pushing past his brother as he walked into the living room to be near his boyfriend again. William let out a sigh, closing the door until he heard a click. He realised this was going to be hard as soon as Virgil agreed to coming down - the past ten years have changed them all, and he just hopes Virgil will see that.
Pushing a few strands of hair back to their rightful position, he walked with poise to the living room doorway, the dominant aura surrounding him with every little thing he did. With curious dark eyes, he watched Virgil stare at the man who laid right in front of the fire, sprawled onto the carpet like he was the carpet. William didn't know who this stranger was, as Virgil didn't give anything away about bringing someone with him.
And he definitely didn't seem like the kind of person that Virgil would want to befriend.
The unknown man stood up, finally zipping and sliding off the thick coat he wore around his body, surprise flashing through William's eyes as he watched him do it again four more times until he was left in a long sleeved shirt that had a stitched in red sash across his chest.
His bright eyes gleamed as he whispered something to Virgil, and William's heart warmed a little when he saw the tiniest smile float across his younger brothers lips. Regretfully, he hasn't seem that in a long time, even when they all lived together.
The man stood up straight, picking up all his jackets and folding them over his arm, wheeling his suitcase over to William with a beaming smile across his perfectly angular face. William instantly knew this guy was from another country, for many reasons. His tan skin, for one. No one who lived in Britain stayed as tan as he is, especially during winter - and his voice, such a rich American accent. One that was actually bearable and didn't remind you of a man in his mid thirties holding a bottle of beer in his right hand and standing in front of a barbecue.
"Greetings, Virgil's brother William!" The man suddenly declared, making William flinch back a little in shock. "I am Roman" he held up his arms, pausing for a few seconds as if he had to let that settle in. With a quirked eyebrow, William crossed his arms, glancing at Virgil who - hidden under the blank expression - found all of this amusing.
"Americans - the definition of arrogance" the comment made Roman's grin broaden, as one would put it, into a 'shit eating grin'. The flamboyant man was about to shoot back with his own witty response when the sound of keys jangling caught their attention.
Colour drained from Virgil's face as he gripped his suitcase handle tighter. He wasn't ready - he wasn't ready to see all of them yet! He was fine with one sibling, but all of his family? Right now? When he didn't even have time to psych himself up, or know where his bedroom is so he can run and hide!
Alarm bells rang in Roman's mind as the door began to open. With one glance, he could sense Virgil's panic a mile away - he didn't want to be rude and abandon his belongings in the doorway, but he always put Virgil first so he dropped his jackets onto the floor and rushed over, bending down a little so he was eye level with the shaking boy.
"Breathe, Virgil, don't forget to breathe" Roman coaxed, the sound of voices filling up the foyer. "I'll be right here, I won't leave your side, okay?" Roman pressed a soft kiss to his forehead after he nodded, showing he heard what Roman said. The taller of the two stood up to his full height once more, his hands intertwined with Virgil's as he turned around, spotting a few family members standing in the doorway, all staring right at Virgil who shrunk a little into his jacket, gripping Roman's hand tighter.
He so desperately wanted to diffuse the awkward tension, but seeing a family member again after ten years, things weren't going to start off perfectly.
A few kids pushed past the parents legs to see what was going on, two gaping while one gasped, but they weren't staring at Virgil, they were staring at Roman. The kids didn't know who either of them were, too young to have been alive when Virgil was here.
One of them - a girl with curly, black hair raised her arm to point at Roman who stared back a little cautiously. He did enjoy the presence of kids, and doesn't mind entertaining them, or babysitting them if he needed to, which was why he felt elated after hearing what the little girl said.
"Look!" She squealed in glee, "a Disney prince!" Two kids ran up to him while the third kept to himself, standing behind the girl he looked very similar too. Roman grinned, bending down so he would be almost the same height as the kids, forgetting the beanie he wore on his head had a crown on it, and his clothing definitely made him look more royal.
"Hey now, leave the man alone" a woman chuckled, smiling apologetically at Roman who waved it off, content with making the kids happy. "It's quite alright" he reassured, his attention drawn back to the kids when one asked him a question he could make out.
"Where's your Princess?"
Roman smirked, glancing up at Virgil who was more focused on the dark red carpet they stood on. Turning back to the children, Roman motioned up to the man, "he's more my Prince" Roman explained, squeezing his hand a little that he still held onto tightly.
"Princes can date princes?!" The younger boy gasped, chocolate brown eyes widening. Roman had noticed from everyone he had seen so far, they all share the dark eyes and dark hair genes.
It was honestly adorable.
"Of course!" Roman voiced boisterously, "and princesses can date princesses, too!" He gleefully added, already giddy over the fact he can voice his love for different sexualities to very curious and accepting kids. They all turned to one another, each of the kids wearing wide, toothy smiles as they went into detail about how they want to date both princes and princesses. Roman stood up, turning to Virgil after he snorted quietly.
"Great, as if you weren't gay enough" he murmured quietly, both men completely forgetting the crowd that filtered through the doorway silently.
"Everything can always be gayer, Virge - you just can't see it" Roman booped his nose, his eyes snapping back to the family who all watched with different expressions. If they were ever planning to keep their relationship a secret - which they weren't - that option has been thrown out the window. At least they all knew who this man was now, and Roman felt like it would be more comfortable.
Virgil stood rigid beside Roman who didn't know what to say. The silence was thick and uneasy - the kids didn't seem to notice, though, as they were busy playing with their toys by the fire that luckily had a metal cage in front of it to keep the children safe. Gulping, he instinctively tightened his hold on Roman's hand, silently telling him he was starting to freak out. Roman quickly glanced at him before taking a small step forward, eyes focusing on a kind looking woman who looked to be one of the more older members of the family.
"It is lovely meeting you - all of you" Roman smiled graciously, "but I was wondering if me and my dear Virgil could unpack our belongings?" The woman he stepped up to sent him a warm smile in return, nodding her head while pushing back a few black strands of hair from her face. From her facial features alone, Roman could tell this was Virgil's mother. If he recalled correctly, her name was Amelia.
"He sounds weird!" Roman heard one of the children whisper. He chuckled lightly, sending them a grin which made them giggle and return to their game.
"Sebastian, don't be rude" Sebastian's - Roman assumed to be mother - scolded lightly, which in turn elicited a small apology from the boy who blushed in embarrassment.
"Of course you can" Amelia finally responded after staring at her son for a few moments. "Your room is upstairs on the right" she explained briefly, clasping her hands together as she glanced away with an unreadable expression. Roman bit his lip for a second, the atmosphere not one he was particularly liking at the moment. Nevertheless, he kept his bright smile alighted on his face as he turned to the man he loved who still clutched his suitcase and Roman's hand.
"Come on, Dearest! I know you're tired, and I am craving for warm cuddles!" He spoke without a care that everyone could hear him. Virgil shot him a glare, but trailed after him anyway, letting him scoop up his discarded jackets, wheeling his suitcase out of the room.
Everyone in the room waited in silence until they heard a door from upstairs open and shut.
A boy, no older than fifteen, piped up from the armchair he decided to sit on when everyone just had to be awkward. "Are all Americans so gay?" This earned a thwack to the back of his head from his sister who was only older by one year. She was sitting on the arm of the chair her brother lazily lounged in.
"You can't say that, Gabriel! Some people find it offensive" She scolded as if she were his mother. Gabriel only let out a groan, halfheartedly glaring at his sister as she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Rolling his eyes, Gabriel glared harder to get her attention, which only received her sticking her tongue out at him.
"I find that offensive!" He almost screeched, jabbing his finger accusingly at his sister who stood up, crossing her arms over her chest. "I find your face offensive" she retorted with a smug smirk, watching as Gabriel gasped, shooting up from his chair so he could get some leverage.
"You take that back!" He demanded, taking a threatening step closer to the girl who did the same back, expression falling into one that would taunt Gabriel to no end. "Make me" she whispered, and that was all it took for the siblings to be on the floor, rolling around while attacking each other. Well, it was more of a play fight than anything else, one the three children seemed to enjoy very much as they all pointed and laughed with a screech.
"Harper! Gabriel!" The kids father yelled, quickly walking over to pull them apart - the two siblings held their glares for a few seconds more before laughter erupted from their throats.
"Here" Gabriel threw Harper's glasses over to her, which she caught with a nod of gratitude. Most of the other adults had left the room by that point to unpack their own stuff in their rooms, the three children grabbed their own bags to rush down to the basement - their loud conversations floating through the floorboards.
"Just because you act like cats and dogs when guests aren't here, doesn't mean you can carry on when they are" Amelia gave them both pointed looks, waiting until they both apologised and monotonously promised they would 'try harder'. They all knew this promise would be broken, but it's the most she could do.
With a nod, she turned on her heel and unbuttoned her jacket to hang up in the foyer. Once the room was completely empty apart from the two siblings, they moved to sit on the couch, both waiting in silence for a few moments.
"I can barely remember him" Harper spoke up gently, chewing her nail while glancing at Gabriel who frowned, picking at a loose thread attached to a cushion he held to his chest. "Neither can I..." he replied back, deflating a little. "I didn't think he'd ever come back" Gabe carried on, curling up on himself a little bit, relaxing into the comforting side embrace Harper pulled him into.
"Now that he's here, he might stay...for good" Harper tried to be optimistic, but Gabriel shot her down instantly. He was usually the pessimistic one, mostly because it was easier to think that way instead of desperately trying to find good in a situation that has so little.
"He has a life in America, he's not going to stay"
Harper didn't reply after that, because he was right, for ten years he's made something of himself in America, not here, and although they don't entirely remember the reason why he left in the first place, it could still hurt him to this day, and they wouldn't want to put their brother through pain when he can be happy somewhere else.
"So" Gabriel chirped, "what's the deal with that gay dude?"
Harper smacked his head. "Offensive!"
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