When Remy switched to speaking in Russian, the others knew it was getting more serious. They didn't know what to do as they watched quietly. Damien was rather intrigued. Seeing Remy being protective and stern stirred something in him. He admired his soulmate for that. He could see that Remy was upset with the way Roman talked to Virgil. It was apparent from the way he looked at Roman. Damien barely knows the guy, but he already felt an attachment. His father once told him and his brother, "when you find your soulmates, it's going to feel like you're whole. You're not left in pieces anymore. That's what I felt when I met your mom."

Back then, He didn't understand what his dad meant by that. He thought it was just a weird thing people always say about soulmates. But when he met Remy for the first time, it felt oddly right. As if he just got something that he thought he didn't need. He wanted to get to know his soulmate and maybe be friends like Logan and Patton were.

"Why don't we calm down, kiddos," Patton said before either Virgil or Remy could say anything else. "You should take a seat here." He pointed to the empty seats next to Roman and Damien.

Remy planted himself next to Roman. He knew Virgil wouldn't sit if he had to sit next to Roman. Plus, sitting next to Roman had the added benefit of scaring Roman and he could look at his cute soulmate across the table. He glared at Roman—making the taller man flinch a little—and turned to watch Virgil carefully. He crossed his arms on the table, getting himself closer to his cousin for both his and Virgil's comfort.

Roman and Virgil was still having a glaring match. Neither of them was going to back down. For a moment, there was only silence. So silent, they could hear the whirring noise of the coffee machine. None of them was going to break the silence.

"Alright, I have a question for both of you," Remy finally asked. His eyes shifted between Roman and Virgil. "What was in the note?"

Roman's eyes widened in horror. Remy cannot know about the note. Or else, he'll surely be toast. What he had to worry about, though, was whether or not Virgil will tell. He had written the note in a haze of anger and annoyance that night. He knew he would have written the same thing even if he was calm, because he didn't need a soulmate. He can find someone for himself just fine.

Virgil groaned after hearing the question. He hid his face in the hood of his patchwork hoodie and covered his face with his hands. "Remy, no," he said sternly. "We are not talking about that."

Logan knew about the note, because Roman had told him about it. The twins didn't though. The Harveys were lost to what they were talking about. Patton could see that Virgil was shaking. He didn't know Virgil—yet—but he wanted to wrap the boy in a hug. Roman also didn't look very well. His brows were furrowed deeply and his nose is pinched, scrunching his face into a scowl. Logan who was sitting next to Roman tried to give his best friend reassurance by placing a hand on Roman's arm, but Roman was not having it.

"Why not? It's making you upset. So, you should talk about it."

"Okay, but at least not here." Virgil's voice was starting to get smaller. Remy extended his hand across the table for Virgil to hold and his cousin held on tightly.

"What did you write on the note?" Now Remy directed the question to Roman.

Roman froze up. He didn't know what he had to say. He couldn't just say that he practically kick Virgil away before ever even meeting him, so he didn't know how to answer the question Remy was giving him. It's true that they—Roman and Remy—weren't close friends before, but Roman always wanted to stay on people's good side. 'Well, that's not happening right now.' Roman was still not answering the question.

Patton wanted to help make the situation better. He hated the stress that was looming over them. Seeing Patton's distress, Logan reached his hand from below the table to nudge on Patton's for him to take. Patton took Logan's offered hand and sent a grateful smile to his soulmate. Logan replied with quick flash of smile. Patton's smile sent a tiny jolt in Logan's stomach. 'Perhaps I'm getting sick.'

Damien didn't sense his brother's distress. He knew that his brother couldn't handle stressful situations. Though, he didn't notice it, because his mind was preoccupied with something else. His gaze was fixed on Remy across the table. He looked frustrated. Remy had one arm extended to Virgil and his free hand was clenched into a tight fist. He kept biting his lips, showing his stress. His green jade eyes seemed as though it had gone paler even though Damien knew that is impossible. He wanted to comfort Remy, but he didn't know how.

"Alright, we all should probably split up into pairs so it's easier to talk that way." Damien decided to break the tension.

"I'll go with Virgil. I mean, if that's okay with you kiddo?" Patton offered kindly. He really wanted to wrap the boy in a hug to comfort him. He wasn't sure if Virgil will be okay with that, though. They just met after all. He didn't know what was happening between Virgil and Roman and he wasn't sure if he would understand their anger. He just wanted to help.

Virgil was surprised to hear this stranger offering to talk with him. He wasn't sure if he could trust this guy. This guy always smile all the time. Plus, he looks so much like Remy's soulmate—what was his name again? Ah, Damien. Overall, he looks like the personification of a marshmallow. He wanted to go talk with Remy, but he'd done that before and the conversation always end without any progress made. He didn't know whether he could trust this guy.

"It's okay, Virge." Remy urged Virgil gently. Virgil hesitated, then nodded and sent a shy smile to Patton. He and Patton got up and went to another seat across the room.

"I guess Roman should go with Remy..." Damien said again. "So, you guys can talk about... stuff."

"Um... I..." Roman hated Damien's idea. Sure, Remy was smaller than him, but they guy is intimidating as hell ' ¡Carajo! Please don't.' There was a long pause and Roman stayed tense.

Remy was eyeing Roman carefully with a frown. This guy had the guts to hurt Virgil?! Who the hell does he think he is? Remy was ready to give Roman a two hour long lecture about this. He needed to educate Roman so that he knows what anxiety is. Maybe he was stupid enough to not know what that is. After that, he's going to make him feel even more horrible—he didn't know how he will do that, but he'll figure out as he goes. Roman was still quiet.

"Alright. You're going with me, but you will have to be honest about everything, Roman." Logan finally spoke up. He was starting to think having that phone call earlier was a bad idea.

----------

After Logan dragged Roman away, Remy and Damien were the only ones left. Remy was staring intensely at his hands on the table, seeming to be deep in thought. He didn't look very happy. Damien got up from his seat and moved to sit next to Remy. He didn't pay Damien any attention. Remy still remembered what happened to him not even a year ago. He didn't want that to happen to Virgil. The boy didn't need a taste of that. Remy had to squeeze his hands to pull himself out of the painful memory. Then, he felt a nudge on his shoulder.

"You good?" Damien asked carefully. Remy nodded.

"I just want him to be okay." It was Damien's turn to nod. He understood Remy's protectiveness. He wouldn't want to see Patton get hurt. One time in junior year of high school, Damien had punched a guy after he made Patton cry. He got detention and his parents were called in, but he didn't care. At least Patton was alright after that. He glanced to where his brother was sitting, having a conversation with Virgil. They were both smiling.

Remy followed Damien's gaze to see his cousin smile. He couldn't help but smile too. It's not very often to see Virgil smile or laugh. That's why he had been happy when they went to pull pranks in the supermarket that morning. "Thanks, Day." Remy put his sunglasses back on.

Damien flushed at the nickname. No one had ever given him a nickname before—except for his family who called him 'Dee.' He smiled and without looking at Remy, he replied, "No problem." Damien was about to say something else, but he hesitated. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea. Eventually, he came to the conclusion that it wouldn't hurt to try.

"Hey, um... you wanna hang out sometimes or whatever?" Damien said, looking down at his folded hands on his lap. Then he looked up to see Remy looking at him with raised brows. He then realized how the question could have been interpreted. "No! Not like that—I mean—I guess we could just... be friends...?" Damien winced at his stuttering. This is why he didn't have friends: because he's always awkward. There are other things too, but he didn't want to think about it. 'Be friends for now at least.' He added in his mind.

"Um, okay. Sure."

Remy looked down at his hands again, slipping back into his thoughts. Damien wanted to take Remy off his worries. Honestly, he understood why Remy was worried about Virgil, but he didn't understand why he would be this anxious about it. He thought a fight that seemed so petty wouldn't bring too much harm. Damien didn't comment, though. It's not his place to say anything. Maybe, Remy knew something that he didn't.

"Are you free right now?" Damien asked cautiously. "I mean, other than this whole thing."

"I don't have class today... why?" Remy inquired quietly. He didn't mind Damien's offer of 'hanging out,' but he wasn't sure if he actually wants to. His mind kept repeating what happened months ago. It still hurts to think about it. He didn't need another dip into that water. Remy wasn't a person who worries a lot. However, at that moment he couldn't help but let his wandering mind take over him.

"Well... um—I thought—I mean—is it okay if you wanna go now?" Gosh, why did he have to sound so pathetic? A blush colored his neck and warmth bled into his face. 'I'm just trying to be his friend.' Damien thought to himself.

"But, Virgil is—"

"I know, but Patton is..." Damien trailed off, looking at his brother talking animatedly. "He's really good with people and he has a big heart. I trust him. But, it's up to you though. I mean, you don't have to do anything... with me, I mean. I was just—no, I—you know what, forget I asked." He stammered out his words and immediately backtracked when he heard no response from Remy. It was stupid to ask anyway—especially in a not-very-bright situation like this. At that moment, he felt shame wash over him. He wasn't being himself. He desperately wanted to go back in time—just a few minutes—to take back everything he had just said to his soulmate. He wanted to show that this blubbering nervous mess is not himself.

Remy hesitated. The last time he trusted someone, he got hurt. Yes, Damien is his soulmate, but that doesn't mean they can't fall out. Even Virgil and Roman who just met each other had a fall out—is having a fall out. He sensed that Damien had a strong presence in his overall personality. He'd seen a glimpse of that during their conversation back in the library not a week ago. Damien was confident and snarky.

And that's what he was like. But, he had hurt him.

Remy was tempted to decline Damien's offer. He didn't know why Damien had wanted to take him on an outing right at that moment and Remy didn't like it. Then, he heard his soulmate stammering and stuttering out his words. This was nothing like how Damien was at the library. And he was blushing! How cute. Remy repeated his trusty mantra, 'don't worry. If you can do something about it, then don't worry. And if you cannot do something about it, then don't worry.'

Damien was still waiting for an answer. He felt like a fool. He was about to say something else, saying that Remy didn't have to listen to him and that he could leave if he wants. 'It's okay, I'm not scared to be alone. It's fine, just fine. Being alone isn't so bad.' Damien kept lying to himself. Loneliness was the one reason he had obsessed over the prospect of meeting his soulmate just before he found Remy in the library. And he didn't feel the need to acknowledge that. He felt—knew—that Remy wasn't going to answer his stupid words.

"Alright then, Where are you going to take me?" Remy broke through Damien's thought.

"Wait, seriously?" Disbelieve drenched Damien's words.

"Eh, why not?"

----------

After Damien walked to Patton's table across the room to tell his brother that he was going out with Remy, they exited the coffee shop. Patton had given him a wink which made him flush crimson. Virgil had thrown a smirk at his cousin and Remy responded with a smirk of his own.

"Where we goin'?" Remy's usual bounce was starting to come back. Not in full force, but it was enough.

"You'll see. I hope you still remember the place." Damien said, still looking straight ahead. That made Remy look at him in confusion, but he didn't say anything. He used to go visit that place many times before he became a regular in Roast & Grind. Damien had liked the place a lot. "It's not too far from here."

After that, silence took over them. They let the sound of the city accompany the sound of their footsteps. They walked side-by-side, keeping a fair amount of distance between them. Neither of them seemed to notice. Remy was actually glad that Damien had taken him out of the coffee shop. It wasn't as peaceful as it usually was with Virgil and Roman fuming inside the cafe and he was starting to get lost in thought the more he sat there. Forgetting about all that, he focused on Damien walking next to him. Where was he taking them? He couldn't help but wonder. In all honesty, he was still unsure about his soulmate. Of course, he's not going to trust a person who he just met and barely knows anything about—soulmate or not. Though Damien had put some effort into getting to know him better, so he was willing to try. Maybe they could be friends, just like Damien said.

Three blocks later they were standing in front of a coffee shop. "You brought us to a coffee shop? Now, girl, you realize we were in a coffee shop, like, a few minutes ago?"

"I'm not dead, blind or stupid. So, yes, I know." Damien said with a slight smirk, indicating that he was being playful. Remy just shook his head.

Damien pushed the door open and the sound of jazz song flowed into their ears. Damien actually liked this place better than Roast & Grind, but it was farther away from his apartment and from campus. So, he doesn't come here as often now. Standing in this place again brought a sense of calm in him.

"So," Damien looked back at Remy, who was standing in silent shock, "welcome to Jacked Up Coffee. "

"Isn't this...?" Remy trailed off. He took two small steps forward into the cafe. He remembered this place. This was the coffee shop where he had his hour. Damien had been sitting in the corner in the back, near the window. Remy never got the name of the coffee shop when he was having his hour. "Oh, wow..."

Damien told Remy to pick a seat—and of course he's going to pick that seat in the back. Damien went to the counter to place some orders. He didn't ask Remy what he wanted, so he ordered his favorite: Double-shot espresso with vanilla, plus caramel drizzle on whipped-cream. He knew it was weird, but to hell with what people think. He also ordered devil's chocolate cake. He asked for the orders to be delivered to their table and went to where Remy was sitting.

"I sat here that time."

"I know. So, anyway, why are we here milaya?" Remy knew Damien wouldn't understand his Russian nicknames for him.

"Just to talk? Or maybe, I just wanted to be a friend." Damien said. His eyes looked into the distance of the city. "And also, what does milaya mean?"

Remy laughed at Damien's question. "You always this serious?" He said between his laugh.

Damien quirked an eyebrow. "Do serious people go to a cafe that's called Jacked Up Coffee? "

"My, my... " Remy shook his head. He slipped back into his usual vibrant self. "Do you really wanna know what it means?" Remy asked, leaning forward to fold his arms on the table—and also to get closer to his soulmate. "It means a number of things. I'm not gonna tell you yet."

When their orders came, Remy looked at it with confusion. It's odd to have whipped cream and caramel on a cup. When he took a sip, he could taste the mild bitterness of the coffee slightly masked with vanilla. He scooped the caramel and whipped cream and gave it a taste. The soft fluff of the cream melted and the sweet taste of the caramel mingled with the bitterness of the coffee, complimenting it perfectly. He hummed in satisfaction.

"Normally I will never put caramel in or anywhere near my coffee," Remy said, his elbow resting on the table and waved the spoon in front of his face. "That is just absolutely disgusting! But, I like this one. Girl, you got good taste."

Damien hid his grin behind his hand. He was going to have fun figuring out his soulmate.

**********

Thank you for reading!! I was in the mood to write a lot, so this update is like a week early.

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT DECEIT/SLEEP IN THIS CHAPTER BECAUSE I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW IF I WRITE THEM GOOD OR NOT!!! *ahem* Sorry, yes, that's it, thank you.
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Spanish stuff (tell me if I made any mistakes):

¡Carajo!
[Fuck!]
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Russian stuff (roast me if I make any mistakes):

Милая
Milaya
[pretty; sweet(ie); honey; dear one]