Hello guys, back again with another story! For those of you reading beautiful lies, yes I will be updating soon I promise. For those of you who aren't, welcome! This story is inspired by a lovely one shot by my dear friend @seagullsoup  who is great at writing and I highly recommend checking them out. Warning, this may have slightly darker undertones than "Beautiful Lies", including more references to/explicit types of ab*se I haven't used before. I say this because I feel it's only fair to warn you. Now if you're still here, on with the story!-😈

When Virgil finally finishes his vows, he feels like puking, vomiting up all his words and regrets in one giant tsunami of pain. Instead he smiles, and stares at the ring on his hand. He hates crowds, and he hates all the people watching him like vultures, waiting for him to screw up. But Virgil won't screw up, he won't, even as he tunes out the priest, he stays the puppet he was always meant to be.

"I now pronounce you married, King Consort Virgil Falkor Laurel-Nox, of the Nighdows kingdom with King Roman Emeric Laurel and King Consort Janus Cassius Laurel-Nair of the Apelios Kingdom. May you all be in peace and harmony until the end of time," The priest announces as the crowd starts to clap and cheer.

Virgil looks up at his aforementioned partners, not knowing who he was supposed to kiss first. Roman makes the decision for him, kissing him right on the lips. Virgil quivers a little, desperately wanting to pull himself away as crowds cheer. He feels a hand slide into his, and out of the corner of his eyes, he sees Janus, offering friendship at the very least. Virgil takes his hand, willing to accept that. Roman finally breaks away, and Virgil faces Janus. When they meet, it is unlike the one sided passion Roman displayed, but a sign of weary acceptance of each other.

Finally, they face the cheering crowd, and start walking slowly down the aisle. Virgil almost trips over Janus's ridiculously elaborate dress. Well, he calls it elaborate, but in fairness, it's really just a long shimmering black dress, with flecks of gold to make it clear he's here for a happy celebration. Roman of course, is wearing an elaborate red and gold formal wear. Actually, if Virgil really thinks about it, all their outfits sort of match. Probably because Roman chose them.

The rest of the wedding goes on in a hazy blur, the after party full of well wishers who, surprisingly, wished them well wholeheartedly, not with the backhanded passive aggressive normal things they said. Roman responded to them graciously, almost as graciously as Virgil and Janus did. Roman loved it, Virgil could tell. But it was more than that. The people loved Roman, they latched on to his words, finding him to be a true leader. In all honesty, it seemed strange, given the King's clear self absorbed tendencies and pushy attitude, which only became clearer the closer they got.

"Your majesty?" A voice says, breaking through Virgil's thoughts. He turns to see Roman's servant standing in front of him. "I need to speak to his aurelius majesty." Virgil blinked and stepped aside.

"Oh of course," Virgil said, still not knowing the servants name, despite his presence being rather common around Roman. The servant went forward, tapping Roman's shoulder and whispering in his ear, pointing at something. Roman frowns but nods. The servant bows and walks away. Virgil stares at him, confused. A voice laughs gently behind him.

Virgil turned around, facing Janus, who smiled knowingly.

"You get used to it dear. This happens often," Janus said, taking a sip of champagne. "Logan's his special friend, the pair of them were inseparable for years." Virgil stares, watching him. The servant has a name. Logan

"But it's ever so strange," Virgil said. "What do they even talk about?" Janus glances down at his glass, topping it off again.

"Honestly, people mostly," Janus sighed, shifting the glass of wine in his hand. "He's the closest thing Roman has to an advisor."

"Janus darling, there's someone here to see you," Roman interrupts, calling Janus over. "Mr. Nox, your associate." Janus's easy smile seems tighter as he downs the champagne flute.

"I'll be back soon, Virgil. Enjoy yourself," he smiles. Virgil watches him, smiling.

"Alright then." Janus goes up to Roman, who smiles and laughs a little, gesturing to the cloaked figure in front of them. Curious, Virgil creeps closer, trying to hear.

"Yes. So my brother sends his regards I presume?" Roman asks the black cloaked man. "For Janus, probably. You can be such a slut sometimes," he laughs, Janus smiling impassively. Virgil shifts uncomfortable. The cloaked figure says nothing, simply bowing and turning away. Roman smiles jovially. "Well, that settles that. Janus, my darling, do you want to escort our new husband to a dance?" He asks, gesturing to Virgil. "He's become very interested in our conversation."

Virgil turns red and goes to apologize.

"Oh I'm sorry I-"

"Nonsense, curiosity can be quite a fun little tool," Roman smiled, with a hint of malice hidden in its depths. Virgil flinches. "Anyway, darling?" He says, tone shifting again, calling Janus. Janus offers Virgil a hand.

"May I have this dance?" Janus asks. Virgil quickly nods.

"You may." Janus smiles gently as he whisks him away into a dance. They glide into the center of the floor, the other dancers watching them.

"Give them a show," he whispers under his breath. "People love a good show." Before Virgil can respond to him, Janus whirls him around, before dipping him. Virgil instantly knows what to do, leaning up and kissing his lips chastely. Janus smiled. "Smart prince," he mumbles against his lips.

Everyone loves it, including Roman, who comes over and kisses Janus, pulling him away from Virgil and holding him close. Roman smiles, holding their hands, waving towards the crowd.

"Thank you all for attending. We bid you farewell," Roman smiled, waving. The crowd slowly disperses as the throuple starts walking back to their room. Roman kisses their cheeks. "Oh it's lovely to be with you darling," he cooed to Janus. "So lovely to be with you and poppet." Virgil stared.

"Pop-pet?" Virgil asked, confused. Roman smiles.

"It's a pet name dear," Janus explains, holding Roman's. "Roman loves pet names." Roman smiles.

"I love you dears," Roman coos.

"Love you too," the two respond, Janus with more pep in his voice. Roman laughs, pressing a kiss to each of their cheeks.

"Oh by the way, Janus, darling? Patton's straightening up our room, so he may still be in there while we change for bed. I assume you won't mind," Roman smiles, the smile almost daring Janus to do something. Virgil stares.

"I don't mind," Janus says easily, a painful note in the back of his voice. Roman up the door, and a servant boy is cleaning the room. Janus's eyes soften when seeing him. Virgil stares. The servant turns, bowing politely.

"Oh hello your majesties. Just cleani-"

"Yes, yes carry on with that," Roman says idly. "Come along Virgil, go change." Virgil goes to the connected little side room for privacy. As he does,he hears a slam on the wall. When he comes out, he sees Roman kissing Janus intensely against the wall.

Patton watches sadly, staring at Janus, not noticing Virgil step out. Virgil watches them strangely. Ironically, he's never seen a less passionate kiss, even though Roman's passion is a raging fire. This is honestly stange, given that Janus chose to marry Roman. Janus was pulled forward by the collar, practically thrown onto the bed, Roman straddling him and kissing him more and more, leaving hickeys on his neck.

"Mine," Roman hisses, biting down on his neck. "All mine." Janus closes his eyes, letting his head fall back as Roman attacks it, adding to the now visible mural of hickies up and down his neck. Virgil bumps into Patton, a bit scandalized. He turns to the startled servant.

"Oh pardon me,'' Virgil says quickly, offering a hand to help him up. Patton immediately goes back to cleaning, turning away from Virgil.

"It's alright your majesty. I am at fault," Patton says, a false cheer clear in his voice, scrubbing down the side table with the rag.

Virgil shook his head.

"No, I am. I'm quite sor-"

"Virgil poppet, come here," Roman cooed, breaking the kiss for a moment. "We have a lovely night ahead of us, don't we darling?" He asked, cooing at Janus who looked at him through half closed eyes and a flush face, soft smile stuck on his face.

"Of course my love," Janus says softly, eyes dazed. Roman smiles with satisfaction as a small gasp echoes from the corner of the room. Virgil swallows nervously, shifting from foot to foot. The cuddling was bad enough, but this? He wasn't sure he could do it. Roman makes the decision for him, pulling him forward and kissing his nose.

"Don't worry poppet, I promise to be gentle, just for you," Roman says, smiling as he carded a hand through his hair. Virgil smiles easily through his disgust, even as his skin crawls at the unwelcome touch. Roman idly dismisses Patton with a wave of his hand. Virgil beams more, holding up the lie.

"I can't wait."