*hiccup*

AU
—

"Kiddo, you've been fascinated by that house for a year now..." Patton drifted, standing close to Virgil who sat by the large window, eyes solely focused on the house across the beach.

Yes, it's been a little over a year since the last time Virgil saw Roman, in that time a lot has happened, he and Thomas becoming official, Patton and Logan marrying, more people moving into the village and people moving away, but everyday Virgil always had to get a glimpse of that abandoned building, otherwise he'd be thinking about it until he does.

"So? I met and touched a literal ghost" he defended, standing up and pushing the chair back under the table, crossing the living room to the kitchen where he grabbed himself a drink, turning to Patton who followed, a smile resting on his lips.

"Now that me and Logan are married..." he slowly grinned, making Virgil raise his eyebrow, brain flooding with possible endings to whatever Patton was about to say.

"We're thinking of...having kids" watching Virgil's eyes widen in astonishment, he giggled brightly, plucking something out of his back pocket. "And I know this place would be a little crowded...so" he hung keys in front of Virgil's face, watching confusion swim in his dark brown eyes, slowly taking a small step back.

What is Patton implying?

"Me and Logan got the house for you" Patton gestured to the house across from them, shock mixing with surprise and a hint of happiness across Virgil'a face, lips sealed shut, speechless.

"It's yours" handing the keys over, Patton bobbed on his feet. "It'll need work, but people in the village agreed to help out! It will be a team effort! They've always wanted to clean it up, anyway" Patton explained giddily, quickly taking a step closer as he saw tears brimming Virgil's eyes.

"Kiddo-?"

Virgil crashed into Patton, hugging the Father-like friend so tightly, Patton couldn't help but giggle softly and hug back.

"Thank you" Virgil whispered, sniffling as tears hit Patton's neck.

"Awh, Kiddo! It's okay!"

—

The next day, many people arrived with much needed garden equipment so they'd actually be able to get to the house. With their joint effort, they were able to clean the path, straighten out the overgrown hedges, remove the brambles and weeds, while also making jokes and becoming close with the people they knew the least.

The more older people even reminisced about Roman, Virgil making sure to listen in each time, hearing about how much Roman loved to act, sing, perform for the kids, and how much he loved his family. It was truly tragic how he died at such a young age, but everyone said how he helped more people than they think he even realised.

As the sun began to set, everyone started walking back home, leaving Virgil, Patton, Logan and Thomas to stand on the stone floored front yard, a fence half the height of a human blocking them off from falling down the wall to the beach. During this time of year, the water did like to come in nearly to the wall, so it would be impossible to get to the house without the path that was cut out this morning.

"This is cute" Patton commented, sitting on an old metal chair, in front of a table with a broken glass top, another metal chair opposite. They were rusted and green, but still added to the charm. Logan sat opposite and they stared out at the setting sun, Thomas walking up beside Virgil who was staring through a window at his chair.

"Teddy?" Thomas smiled softly, rubbing Virgil's shoulder. Glancing at Thomas, he shot him a small smile, turning back to the window and sighing out.

"I wish I could've met him" Thomas murmured, looking into the silent house.

"He seemed like someone that would be your friend" Virgil spoke, trying his best not to choke up. Pulling him into a side hug, Virgil bit his lip, blinking back tears ready to roll down his pink-tinged cheeks.

"I'm sure he'd appreciate what we're doing very much..."

—

The next day, even more people came, and as half finished up the back garden, people went into the house, sweeping away the dust and rubble, and to Virgil's request moving a lot of the belongings up to the attic. Tables and other similar furniture was left, while they brought in new chairs, beds, etc.

As people helped to fix the windows, Virgil ventured upstairs, rolling up the stained rug placed down the hallway. As he came to the end, he tugged it onto his shoulder, glancing at a room he'd never been in before. Curious, he laid the rug back down and slowly headed in, eyes traveling around the cobwebbed covered room.

It was a bedroom, that was for sure.

Stepping in, he walked to the double bed in the middle, faded red quilt and pillows laid neatly over the presumably broken mattress, covered in a layer of dust, like everything else in the room. The walls chipped golden and red paint, pictures of Roman performing on stage scattered over the walls and in picture frames on the desk and vanity.

Virgil used his sleeve to rub his eyes, coughing as dust swirled around his face.

Glancing at the closet, he opened the doors, dragging his hand across the old, moth bitten outfits. His eyes landed on the last one, a white suit, with matching white trousers...badges attached to the shoulders with a red sash across the chest.

Smiling, he took it down, noticing how it was the only outfit to be completely okay.

Folding it over his arm, he left the room and closed the door, picking up the rug and heading down the stairs. Placing the outfit carefully in a bag Virgil brought along, he left it by the doorway, throwing the mattress onto the "rubbish" pile, before venturing back in to carry on the tiresome but worth it job.

It took a few months, a few long months, but finally the house was as good as new.

On the outside the walls were painted to their original colour, flowers of all colours lining the paths, bushes cut into certain shapes out the front, the fence painted a dark grey, with functioning locks, too.

The inside was just as magnificent. The floorboards a rich dark brown, walls painted to match, with tables holding new ornaments, even a few pictures of Roman dotted around, as Virgil wanted.

They were able to fix the portrait as best they could, leaving it hanging above the fireplace as a remembrance piece for the kind hearted man who once lived there.

Virgil was quick to move in, and Thomas did too a little while later.

Phoenix even came down for a visit, nearly crying at the sight of the house he remembered as a child.

Part of Virgil wanted Roman to come back, and see the work they did for him, but Virgil knew that wouldn't happen. Besides, Roman went through many days alone here, he wouldn't want to bring him back to that.

One night, though, Virgil woke up to the sound of footsteps.

Curious, he slowly sat up and with the light from his phone, he quietly left the room, just catching a glimpse of a person enter the main room. Eyes widening, he scurried down, peering through the open doorway to see him, his Roman standing in front of the mantel, head tilted back to stare at the portrait of him and his son.

"I do like what you did around here" Roman commented, turning to face Virgil with that soft smile, skin glowing like a ghost.

Virgil stepped in, shrugging sheepishly.

"Everyone helped..."

"That was very kind of them" Roman added, moving to sit on the armchair that took the old ones place, Virgil tried to find the exact one, but unfortunately couldn't, so he went with the one that looked like it the most.

Sitting on the opposite one, Virgil twiddled his thumbs, watching Roman stare out at the house across the beach.

"I saw the view" he finally spoke up, turning to look at Virgil who slowly sit up.

"It was very lovely. Why you would live here instead, I don't think I'll ever understand" he chuckled softly, lighting up as Virgil laughed along, too.

"This is...probably the last time I'll ever see you, huh?" Virgil asked quietly, keeping his eyes glued to the floor, not wanting that reality to be real.

"All stories come to an end eventually" Roman replied just as quietly.

"But yours ended too soon..."

Roman moved to kneel in front of the young man, staring into his glossy eyes. "Ah, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a great one" he said with a grin, Virgil could feel his throat tighten as he laughed quietly, wiping his damp cheeks.

"Maybe you'll see me again, and I can finally meet the man you're in love with" Roman added, standing back up. Virgil followed, and the two shared a long hug, Roman humming gently as they did, swaying back and forth ever so slightly, letting Virgil cry silently onto his chest.

"I think you'll suit my clothing" Roman winked after they pulled away, smiling as Virgil shook his head, drying his face.

"N-no, I can't wear bright clothes"

"They'd match your bright eyes perfectly, my dear dark boy"

Blushing, Virgil shook his head, gazing at Roman who sat back on his chair, slowly picking up the book Virgil left on the table for Roman. Virgil stood up, slowly walking over towards the doorway.

Looking over his shoulder, he watched Roman read the last page, smiling softly to himself.

"See ya, Princey" Virgil smirked.

Lifting his head, Roman smirked back.

"A new one"

"You look like a royal buffoon"

Roman laughed heartily, waving Virgil off.

"Yes. See you later, emo nightmare"

Virgil smiled in the doorway, shaking his head and heading back up to his room.

The next morning, he didn't know whether what had happened was a dream or reality, either way he was glad he got a final goodbye.

A final goodbye for his royal buffoon.

—

Fin.