11:05pm

Am I (kinda, loosely) basing this off what happened to me today? Yes. 

Au
—

"Roman!" Roman's mother called from the bottom of the staircase up to her son who was currently hurrying down the upstairs hallway, rapidly texting his friends. "Yes, Mother?" He replied, gaze not removing from his screen, grinning at the replies he received in the group chat he was added to - it was full of all the theatre nerds from his school, and he always had a wonderful time conversing with them.

"Me and your Nan have arranged for you to go over hers today and spend the night"

At first, Roman didn't comprehend what she said, instead letting it linger in his mind while he typed out a reply. Once he finally registered what she said, his head snapped to see her smug smirk, stuttering and floundering for a response. "B-but m-Mom-!" He tried, but she only held up one finger and ventured through the house to the kitchen. Roman pocketed his phone and headed after her in a flurry, asking why they had set this up without asking him first.

"Because I knew you would've said no! You used to spend countless weeks over there when you were young" his mother reminded, as if that would change his mind.

"But it's not fair!" He whined like a child, "I have a party to go to tonight!" He added, praying that would sway his mother, but she was stubborn, and told him he should cherish time with his family over his friends. Now, Roman loved his nan dearly, don't get him wrong, but, god, she really got on his nerves sometimes! Not only does she always pester him about his future, reminding him whenever she could that his acting probably wouldn't go anywhere, but it was impossible to say no to her! She'd find away around people's plans, wedging herself in so they would have to do something with her.

Also, it seemed like Roman was her child, too! Always bringing him along on her grocery shopping, or trips to town. He would much rather hang out with his friends, who were for one were much better company, and didn't ask question after question...ugh! Like he said, he loved her, he really did, she was a wonderful woman, but holy shit did Roman want to die sometimes in her presence.

Heartbrokenly, he told his friends he couldn't make it to the party. They all told him they would miss him, and it wouldn't be the same without him. They also promised to call him through it, so he could at least somewhat be there, while also being miles away.

When he heard the doorbell go off downstairs, he sighed and dragged a hand down his face. Might as well get this over with. Grabbing his bag full of stuff he needed for his night over, he listened to the conversation his mom and nan shared downstairs, shooting his friends quick texts that he would be back later before stuffing his phone into his pocket and leaving his room.

Down the hallway, another door opened, and he spotted his younger sister. Now, she was vastly different from him when he was that age - as she acted the same way he did now towards their nan, instead of begging to go over her house every other day like he did those years ago. He didn't know why, but he guessed it was because she preferred her solitude than being around someone who offered them this and that, not letting them get a word in between conversations.

She heard nan's voice, spotted the bag on Roman's back and smirked, sending him a look that could only be described as 'good luck' before disappearing into the bathroom. Roman slumped even further, but as he descended the staircase, he straightened his posture and plastered on a smile, greeting his nan cheerily.

"Hey, Roman" she smiled, bringing him into a hug. He looked at his mother over his shoulder, pouting slightly. All she did was silently laugh into her hand, shaking her head lightly. "I have a lot of things planned for you tonight" his nan winked, turning to her daughter afterwards. Roman rolled his eyes, of course she did. Whenever Roman was with her, if they weren't in town doing mundane tasks, they were at the cinema, or cafe, or theme park - she loved spending her time doing something fun with her "children".

Finally, they were in the car, Roman thankfully allowed to play his music, but that didn't stop her blabbering on and on about her friends, or what happened in her life recently. Truth be told, they hadn't seen each other since New Years - it was currently February second, and Roman did feel a tad guilty he had been avoiding her visits, and not trying to talk at least over phone, but Roman didn't feel the need to. He spent many, many nights over her house for years; wouldn't that make up for his absence now? He was a teenager! He wanted to have fun with friends at parties and sleepovers! Not over his nan's.

Whatever. He could bare through one night if that meant he could avoid her for another two months. As horrible as he sounded, many other teens his age would do the same if this was there nan. She was too...not clingy, per se, but something along the lines.

It took a good half an hour to get to where his nan lived - a small village miles away from town. The residents were all kind, many of them families with kids of their own. They were much to young for Roman to play with them, though, so instead of staying outside, he slumped down on the couch in his nan's large living room, sending a brisk smile at his grandad who was just leaving.

He and his grandad never really had a close bond. Nothing that really bothered him - when the old man found out about Roman being gay, he closed himself off further from his grandson, but again Roman didn't care, really. The man was quiet and secluded, Roman didn't feel much loss.

Now that he was surrounded by WiFi, he thought he would be able to spend at least some time texting his friends with some silly cartoons on in the background, but life never went his way, did it?

His nan entered with a smile, not sparing the tv a glance, too focused on Roman who flicked his eyes up to meet her gaze. "Guess who came around for tea yesterday?" She grinned mischievously, actually intriguing Roman who sat up and shrugged, gesturing for her to tell him. "Kathy!" She giggled, alight with seemingly too much excitement from just seeing a friend, but Roman knew why she was so giddy, slinking back into the cushions as he recalled who Kathy was, and how he knew her.

Oh god no. 

"She told me how Virgil was doing"

Please don't say she arranged for them to meet up-

"And I told her you'd be around today to call for him!"

Yep. These are the moments why he never came around here anymore. Long story short, Virgil was half of the reason why Roman came around her so often as a child. He was his best friend growing up - they did everything together, spending as much time with each other as they could, having week long sleepovers - though, it was very rare.

Roman's nan used to take them anywhere they would request. The rollercoaster park that was only a few miles away was so frequently visited Roman and Virgil were probably the most regular kids to visit that place throughout the year.

The downside of it all was; they didn't go to the same school.

Unfortunately, as they grew, they split apart. With Roman coming over to his nan's house less and less, he saw Virgil less and less, until it came to the point he would come over and not even bother to shoot Virgil a text. Everyone assumed they stayed in touch; Roman told his curious parents they did to keep them off his back, which was probably why they had no quarrels when his nan suggested Roman came over to meet up with the boy.

He couldn't argue with her, because she'd pull that face that makes you feel guilty and then she'd explain about how Kathy already told Virgil and she was sure the boy would be so excited. That's another issue Roman had with his nan - she didn't really take others opinions or if they actually want to do something into account before she's already planning it out.

So, ten minutes later Roman was walking up the driveway to get onto the main road of the village, walking by the bungalows that lined the streets. Some gardens were filled with children playing imaginary games, others empty, holding old, rusted play sets.

While walking along the path towards his old friend's house, Roman let his mind wander and reminisce to his childhood. He remembered the many times he and Virgil ran through this alleyway with pretend swords in their hands, dashing away from the pretend villains they both made up to be apart of their game.

Roman truly wondered how they'd split apart, back then they though they'd be friends forever. Roman guessed times changed - maybe it was his fault, but he wasn't the only one not sending the other texts.

Finally, he made it to his friend's door. Breathing in, he reached up and knocked on the wood. Only a moment later Kathy was standing in the doorway, her hair Roman remembered to be long and black now styled into a bob cut, dyed a nice brown colour. He smiled at the woman who beamed when her eyes landed on the boy she hadn't seen for years.

"Oh, Roman, you've shot up!" She exclaimed, recalling when she used to be taller than the boy, how he towered over her like a lamppost. The boy snorted and shrugged loosely, sharing a brief hug with the woman who quickly turned her head over her shoulder to call up to Virgil.

"He'll be here in a minute" Kathy invited Roman inside, so politely he stepped in, letting his gaze wonder across the interior design. Much had changed, but that wasn't a surprise. Kathy loved decorating, and changing the whole style of the house only months after she redecorated prior. Lapsing into a comfortable conversation, a blob of black caught Roman's eye.

Flickering his vision towards the staircase, he found himself smiling at the boy who dressed up in black, skinny ripped jeans and an angsty-styled purple and black jacket. Roman always loved how the boy adored the colour black - never wearing anything brighter, not even in the summer when he was obviously sweltering under all the layers.

"Greetings, Virgil" Roman spoke, but his voice didn't hold the same level of friendliness it did those years ago. Instead, it was more polite than anything, like they were strangers. It would've hurt him if he didn't see Roman in the same way. They had both changed quite drastically in their time apart - it would be a wonder if they were to get along.

"It's a lovely day! Why don't you two go play in the park? I hear Ann planned for you two to go to the cinema later!" Of course that was the first time Roman heard about that little detail. Kathy waved to the two teens before disappearing down the hallway to the living room.

The two stood in silence for awhile, neither knowing what to say. Thankfully, Roman opened the front door and gestured for Virgil to follow, which he did after slipping on his black converse.

"We can climb over this fence now" Roman motioned to the fence across the street. It was connected to a house that an old, grouchy woman used to live in. If she caught any kids climbing over her fence as a shortcut to get to the park quicker she wouldn't hesitate in telling their parents they were "loitering" around and doing stuff they weren't supposed to. Roman hated her. Everyone did, really. When she died the house lost it's dark shadow that made kids steer away, now it was as welcoming as any other normal house.

"Hmm" Virgil hummed in response, eyeing the taller boy as he hoisted his body up and over the fence. Virgil easily copied his movements, landing on the tall grass on the other side.

"So, how's Hot Topic's life going?" Roman winked jokingly, staring up conversation. Virgil snorted, never forgetting the fact Roman always loved to make up nicknames for him. "Fine, I guess" he shrugged in response, finding it weird to go into his personal life with the boy who used to know everything about him only a few years ago.

"You?" He shot the attention to the taller boy who had no quarrels falling into a long conversation about his new theatre friends, and how he had obtained a main role in one of the upcoming feature plays in their school. He also joined up to clubs outside of school, mostly about performing and thinks alike. His sister - who was a baby when he and Virgil were friends - was doing okay, for a young girl she was very skilled in dancing, and practices almost everyday.

"After you, emo nightmare" Roman grinned, lifting back the shrubbery leading to the park. Virgil, once again, rolled his eyes but slipped on through, holding it open for Roman from the other side.

Roman's eyes swept along the park and he sighed out contently, noting it was the exact same from when he came here last - one sing, a slide, a small climbing frame, a round-a-bout, a fireman pole and a seesaw. Plus, a field next to it with four metal poles as goals. It was almost relieving to see this hadn't changed, something that could possibly make the two feel closer. 

Roman made himself busy; first, he sat on the swing and pushed up against the ground, laughing joyously as the wind brushed through his hair. Virgil, on the other hand, opted for sitting on the small wooden structure in the middle of the park. It connected to the slide, a fireman pole, a staircase to get up onto it, and a climbing frame made out of thick, blue rope that always left his hands burning whenever he tried to climb it.

Instead of playing on his phone like he thought he would, he focused his attention on Roman who seemed to be having the time of his life on a swing primarily made for younger kids, but that thought didn't seem to cross Roman's mind, for he was smiling too widely to care. Once he finally became bored, he jumped off the swing and smiled coyly up at Virgil. The teen shuffled to one of the corners on the wooden platform as Roman got onto it, too. It wasn't the biggest thing in the world, and with two sixteen year olds, they could barely both fit on without brushing up against the other.

Luckily, Roman didn't dawdle, for he was sliding down the slide only moments later. His repeated several times until he moved onto the pole, to which then turned to him using the ropes to climb up. Virgil didn't really want to join in, and when he actually wanted to move, he found himself sitting on the round-a-bout with Roman opposite, the taller boy using his legs covered in white jeans to push them around in a circle from the ground, sending Virgil smiles every so often.

It almost...hurt, in a way. They used to be so close, never once when they were kids did they not have something to say to the other, now? They were both silent for the entire time, yes they sent each other smiles, acknowledging the others presence, but nothing more. They used to be so close; Virgil was upset they lost that bond.

"I missed you" he found himself murmuring to the regal-looking boy. His words made Roman freeze momentarily, causing the movement of the round-a-bout to jolt. "You did?" Roman hesitated a response, chewing his lip slightly. Virgil nodded, leaning on the bars you use to hold onto, feeling a little stupid and a tad embarrassed from what he admitted, but it was the truth, he did miss Roman.

"I missed you, too" Roman found himself responding, finally unlocking the truth within himself. He didn't really think about Virgil after they drifted apart; maybe that was why he felt the need to obtain so many friends, for he felt a void he could never place where it came from - now he knew it was because of Virgil's absence. Like his heart was calling out to his friend, but to Roman it was in a foreign language for so long.

His words made Virgil's heart flutter and lips fumble for a small smile.

"I'm sorry" Roman finally stopped pushing the round-a-bout to face Virgil properly. "I did not mean for us to split apart, I supposed it just..." he trailed off, biting his lip when Virgil finished for him. "Happened" Roman nodded, licking his dry lips, gaze wondering to the black, cushiony ground below. "I don't suppose you want to be friends again?" Roman asked, raising his eyebrow sceptically. Virgil snorted, shrugging lightly.

"I guess..." he meant what he said, but purposely made it sound like he had to think about it. Roman chuckled lightly, suddenly standing up and whirling the round-a-bout until Virgil was directly in front of him, a blush coating his cheeks when he became aware of their close proximity, Roman looming over him like that made him feel...different.

"Race you to the seesaw"

Before Virgil could comprehend what Roman declared the boy was across the play park, flinging his body onto one side of the seesaw. Virgil rolled his eyes fondly, slumping in the other seat, pushing his legs up when his side lowered down to the ground, Roman doing the same.

"You know, Virgil" Roman began, "I never appreciated how adorable you looked before" this made Virgil's eyes widen and him splutter, embarrassed. Roman only grinned, laughing loudly.

As the two old friends stared at each other across the seesaw, they realised one thing pretty quickly.

This time around, they wouldn't just be friends.

—

I don't want to do a part two to this so....

12:34am