9:45pm

Trigger warning: dominate and submissive relationship - Roman's been naughty and the others punish him

Side note: this OneShot isn't what you will expect, it doesn't have any sex because something...happens. If you're still uncomfortable reading, then you don't have to, all I'm saying is there isn't any sex in this OneShot, just..leading onto it at the start

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Roman paced around his room, guilt flooding through his body alongside regret. He didn't mean to shout at Patton with such velocity, he was just not having a good day, and was a little upset no one had asked him if he was okay. He was obviously not - was it just the fact that they didn't care?

That was silly of Roman to think, they do love him, but sometimes it didn't feel like it - sometimes he just felt like a sex toy for them to use and dominate.

He was sure he wouldn't have gotten that bad of a punishment if it weren't for the fact he's had a bunch of slip ups through the day. If they added all of them together along with the yelling at Patton he was sure to be tied up and teased and spanked and everything he doesn't want.

Don't get him wrong, he finds them highly arousing and pleasing any other day, but today...today he just wanted to curl up and ignore everything. Nothing his boyfriends could do would help him feel better right now, especially sex. This was just one of those days he would bare through, alone, just how he liked it.

His pacing came to an abrupt stop when his bedroom door opened. He had his back to the door, but he knew the three were standing there, probably with those expressions. Virgil was never - and never would be - a dominant, he loved being a submissive, but Roman was sure the emo nightmare will help Logan and Patton choose which toys they'd use on their boyfriend.

Fuck...he wanted to use the safe-word so bad, but he had never used it before, and he doesn't want them to think they hurt him, or is scaring him - any other time, he would be loving this, but now? He wasn't even hard! This usually should at least cause something, but he felt his eyes sting, and his whole body deflate slightly.

Should he get this over with? So they could cuddle? Then he could wait for them to fall asleep while he locks himself in his bedroom to be alone and think.

With his head tilted down, he knew they were speaking, but he couldn't hear them - he wasn't deaf by any means, but he just blocked it out, barely feeling the fleeting hands float across his body, their words moulding into one mess he couldn't understand. After awhile, Patton and Logan moved to stand in front of him while Virgil stood a little ways away, watching Roman stand as still as a statue, eyes glued to the ground without life.

Logan and Patton shared a look, but because he didn't use the safe word, they assumed it was apart of his 'try-to-look-innocent-act'.

"Strip"

That command Roman heard, it was short and quite close to his ear. He shuffled towards the bed, hands shaking as they slowly pulled his t-shirt over his head. Virgil was worried, usually Roman doesn't act like...this...this was how he acted! Roman would be defiant, and try to make up excuses so his punishment might be more satisfactory, maybe he was trying out his way of things to see what it was like?

Sill, as he leaned on the wall where he was told to stay, he could feel his heart weigh down with the one thought running through his mind. What if he doesn't want this?

Roman listened to their instructions carefully now, not wanting to get into any more trouble, he didn't want this to prolong, but knowing his boyfriends it would. His hands were bound to the bed-frame above his head, the lower half of his body stuck up in the air, but as he listened to his boyfriend, he didn't realise a few tears tracked down his cheeks.

He didn't realise how fucking terrified he was.

He was frightened they would notice, he was scared they would actually be mad...

He knew he shouldn't of let them go this far, when he's in one of these moods he can't help but think like that, his anxiety heightened with the crashing thoughts inside his mind. He doesn't want this, he doesn't want this! He wants to go to his room and be alone!

Roman didn't notice his body instinctively shuffled down the bed, tugging harshly on the rope to try and free himself, but the boyfriends were still busy, so they didn't notice.

Eventually, Virgil couldn't handle it, Roman was writhing but not in arousal. Silently walking across the bedroom, he kneeled beside the bed, noticing the pillow Roman's face was once pushed into was stained with tears. Now, his head was below the pillow, his body as far down the bed as he possibly could. He wanted to get away. He looked petrified.

"Roman?" Virgil whispered, catching his attention. The side looked at him, a quiet sob pushing past his lips.

"I don't want this" Roman whispered to him, making Virgil's eyes widen.

"Virgil, what are you doing?" Patton questioned after him and Logan stood up from their box of toys. Virgil shook his head, indicating he wasn't doing anything wrong before gesturing to Roman who again let out a sob - but louder this time.

"Roman, he's-"

Before Virgil could finish Roman finally gave up, he badly didn't want this, it was excruciating for him, he wanted to leave, to run and hide while he calmed down, alone. So, he did something he promised himself he wouldn't do - but he knew he would do it someday, he just didn't think it would be today. Or this year, even.

"Stop!" He cried out, the rope digging into his skin painfully, but it made Roman worse, not aroused as it was meant to. "Please, stop!" He voiced again, struggling fiercely, his sobs echoing around the room. Logan and Patton jumped to action, Patton going to his side to ease him as Logan struggled with the rope, but with Roman's movements he tightened the bond, making it quite hard for Logan to undo, Virgil even helped him after a few moments.

"Red, red, red!" He screamed the safe word, over and over he writhed and struggled, his heart pounding against his rip cage, his brain ignoring Patton who tried to help, all it was thinking was escape, run and hide, and that was what he desperately wanted to do. His instincts were really kicking in, and it assumed everything around him was danger.

He was naked, tied up and vulnerable, of course it would assume that.

Eventually, his head snapped up, and he finally noticed they were trying to free him, not tie him up more. His body slowly stopped moving, his glossy eyes staring at Virgil and Logan who stared back for a few moments, sending him small smiles before they went back in with the rope, finally tugging it free. Roman slowly pulled his arms to his chest, his wrists glaring a deep red colour.

He felt like a wild animal, once he was free he would run, which was what he did.

He tugged on his boxers and before any of them could near him he made a mad sprint for the door, rushing down the hallway towards the Imagination. Now he wasn't so scared, he could focus on other things, like his ability to appear anywhere he desired - the same powers the others had, too.

He could hear their voices calling his name, but he desperately wanted to get away, and be alone - he needed it, right now. With once force of energy surging through him, his body disappeared and reappeared in the Imagination. They would never be able to find him, so with that thought in mind, he slumped against the tree behind him, his bare back scraping against the harsh bark as he slid down onto the dried leaf covered ground.

His shaky legs drew up to his chest, arms loosely wrapping around them as he whispered to himself a flimsy breathing technique. He could barely remember the one Patton always uses to help Virgil with, as Patton doesn't say it loud enough for anyone else to hear, but that wasn't the point, it was only for Virgil.

At this point he really did feel like just a toy to them, and he couldn't jar the idea - it blocked out the memories of their more...soft times spent together. The times they would whisper 'I love you's' into each other's ears as they slowly feel asleep all huddled up on their bed, the times they would watch movies cuddled on the couch, where they would eat together, laugh, play games, made videos with Thomas...all if it was forced to the back of his mind, the memories of their sex life coming out full force, blinding him from the truth.

It wouldn't last, he knew this, but for now he felt like nothing, he felt worthless to them, and could see them cuddled on the couch without him, waiting until he would eventually return so they could chain him up and use him for their pleasure...

He sniffled, wiping his eyes with his sleeve - even if the thoughts clouded his mind, he needed this, some alone time. He might be naked in the middle of the woods, but he needed this.

Time passed by quicker than he could realise, and when his eyes opened, the sun was almost setting, the light around him an orange hue from the sun's rays.

He pushed himself up, gently running a hand down his back, it felt rough. Hissing a little in pain, he ducked down and appeared in his bedroom. The others were long gone, but he could still see their toys sprawled across the floor. With a sigh, he picked everything up, placing it in the box they kept in his closet. He didn't mind, sometimes he could use them for his personal pleasure if he felt like it.

He sat on his bed, eyes dropped down to stare at the carpet. He didn't really have the energy to do anything else. Maybe this dominant and submissive life wasn't for him...

He never had liked being in control of someone, but he doesn't always entirely like being controlled. Whenever they would have sex, he subconsciously tried to block it out, image it to be normal sex with a few toys to excite his kinks. But this...this wasn't something he wanted.

These episodes happen more frequently then ever, and before they suggested the Dom & Sub idea, he was completely fine in their relationship. Why did he ever agree? Oh, he knew why, because the other three jumped on the idea, and Virgil seemed to be the most excited out of them all, Roman wanted to make them happy, he didn't want them to kick him out of their relationship, or just slowly forget about him.

He wanted to be loved, too, but not...not like this.

Wiping a stray tear from his cheek, he slowly hoisted himself up from the bed, walking to his closet to pull out some clothes. He guessed the best thing for him to do would be to have a break, so he could think everything over without the weight of having three boyfriends on his shoulders. He loved being with them, and he loved them dearly, but a break would help him, he just hoped they wouldn't be to mad or upset.

Roman found the other sides sitting in the shared living room, Virgil was chewing his nail, leg bouncing up and down as he sat on the edge of the couch, wondering if he should go out and try to find Roman, disregarding the rule he was given by Patton.

Speaking of, the two Dom's were sitting beside each other, talking quietly about the mishap that happened earlier. Was it their fault? They couldn't tell, but they quickly forgot about it when they snapped their heads up to stare at Roman after he cleared his throat.

"Roman.." Virgil whispered, crashing into his body to hug the aspect tightly. "Don't ever do that again" Virgil whispered harshly, but he was far from angry, just relieved he was back safe. Roman gently hugged back, turning his head to the side when Virgil went to kiss him.

"Kiddo...are you okay?" Patton spoke softly, Logan wanted to say something too but he didn't know what. He guessed the best thing to do would be to wait until he speaks up about what happened earlier, and explain why he ran away so fearfully.

Roman pushed himself away a few steps, one arm wrapping around his stomach to rub his other arm awkwardly and nervously. "I think I should have...a break" he voiced, not daring to meet their gaze. It would only make him feel worse. His heart dropped when he heard the slight gasp come from Patton, and the small step Virgil took back.

"I love you" he quickly mumbled, "but I just need time to think" he justified. The silence seemed to be worse then any response he could receive, as the longer they stayed silent, the more he imagined them being angry or happy they wouldn't have to be with him anymore.

Thankfully, Logan finally spoke up.

"It's fine, Roman" he stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "You do what you need to do, and when you are ready, talk to us" after Logan went silent, Roman finally lifted his head, giving Logan an appreciative smile. Virgil and Patton still weren't saying anything, too caught up in the questions - why did he want a break? Was it there fault?

Roman turned to them, waiting for a few moments, but he figured it would be better if he just left, so he did. Sending Logan one more smile, he turned on his heel and silently headed to his room. While the three sides were sitting in the living room talking this over, he moved all their toys into Patton's room, keeping the gifts he received from them all on his desk. He smiled at each of them, reminiscing on their relationship they had before the Dom and Sub movement.

Sighing, he walked over to his wall of swords, remembering how Logan and Patton both made sure Roman were to tell them he was going into the Imagination, he didn't like that, but he didn't show it. He preferred to be his own person, not having someone give him rules and punishments, it made him feel like a kid...

Why hadn't he realised this sooner? Probably because he was too focused on keeping them all happy. Now, though, he was focused on his own happiness, and didn't put it as selfish, more like self care, because he needed it. With a faint smile, he picked up a sword, grabbing a few other things too before appearing in the Imagination. He didn't walk down the hallway in case he would bump into one of the others.

For the next few months Roman spent a lot of time in the Imagination fighting creatures and saving princes, princesses and civilians - it gave him time to be free, to think about what he wanted, and still after all this time his love for the three has unchanged. He wants to be with them, and sometimes it hurts to not be able to go to their room and cuddle. On levels, he does like being more...submissive, but not in the way they had before - he would rather be the small spoon, and the one that retrieves more affection.

Not to say he wouldn't return it, he would shower each of them with care and love - and now, he felt like this was the best time to talk. He wouldn't mind Logan and Patton dominating Virgil, he just wants them to act normal with him.

He took a quick shower to remove the dirt and specs of blood from his battle with the dragon witch, cleaning himself up ready to talk with the three who were all sitting in the living room comfortably. Roman wondered if they would even want him back, but he tried to push those thoughts aside - if they love him like he does, he was sure they would be happy to have him back.

Entering through the door, he plopped down on the couch beside Virgil who glanced over at him, sending him a small smile, hidden emotions behind it. How desperately he wanted to reach over and huddle into his side, being comforted with the strong arms wrapped around his body.

He loved Logan and Patton's cuddles, but he wanted Roman back, much like Patton and Logan, but they all tried to not show it, so they wouldn't make Roman feel bad for leaving them all those weeks ago.

The flamboyant aspect decided to wait until after the movie the three were watching before he talked about his decision, instead he shuffled over the couch, wrapping one arm around Virgil's shoulders. He tensed under the contact but his body relaxed before he could even think, leaning into Roman with a content expression falling onto his face.

Logan and Patton glanced over with their own smiles, knowing that Roman's break was coming to an end.

As soon as the credits began to roll on screen, Patton shut off the tv, leaving the room in silence as they waited for Roman to speak. He let out a soft chuckle, his thumb rubbing Virgil's arm where his hand rested. "Well, I thought about it" he began, smiling at the three sides he loved.

"And I want to be with you again" he concluded, feeling Virgil's arms finally coil around his waist and hug him tightly, face buried into his chest. "Yay!" Patton exclaimed, jumping in on the group hug, sitting on his knees on the other side of Roman to hug him without crushing Virgil. "We missed you, Roro!" He added quickly, placing a soft kiss on his longing lips. Roman kissed back, smiling hazily up at his boyfriend.

"We are glad you are back, Roman" Logan added, reaching over to intertwine his hands with the side who pulled him closer so they could share a short and sweet kiss. See, this was what he strived in in relationships, what he wanted.

"I do have a few...rules - no, one rule" he corrected himself, waiting until Patton and Virgil sat up away from the hug before explaining. "I...cannot be a Sub" he admitted, "nor can I be a Dom" he added before the others had the chance to suggest the idea.

"I don't particularly like that life style myself - if you are all willing to accept me back into the relationship, I would appreciate me if you treated me...like you would in a normal relationship, while still being a Dom for Virgil" Roman explained as best as he could, stroking Virgil's cheek a little as he mentioned his adorable emo.

"Of course, Ro...why didn't you tell us sooner?" Patton questioned softly, tilting his head a little. Roman shrugged lightly, letting his arms move around Virgil's waist once more to hold him close. "I...wanted to keep you happy" was his excuse, and it was good enough for him when he agreed to be a submissive early last year.

"You make us happy whether or not you are our Sub, Roman" Logan jutted in, staring at him with sincerity. Roman smiled at him warmly, pulling them all into a tight hug they leaned into.

"We love you, Roman" Virgil murmured, him being the last to kiss Roman.

"I love you all, too"

—

Was this the bad? It was not the good but it was not the bad

12:55pm