12:35am

Everyone have a good Christmas? If not you can complain here! It'll act like a safe space, talk about things you can't with others :)

Freya is Emile Picani (did I spell his names right? Lmao)
For nO reason at all I'm gonna make Emile trans lmao she's a she in this OneShot and called Freya (goddess of communication)

Trigger warnings: bad childhood, bad parents, neglect, therapy

Au
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"Roman!" Freya chirped, turning in her wheelie chair to face her client who managed a smile, taking a seat in the brown plush chair opposite, a desk littered with Disney stickers and small, Disney-related decorations separating them. Roman approved of it very much.

"I'm glad you could make it for this very important session!" As she spoke she tapped papers against the desk to straighten them out, placing them to the side after to give room for her notebook and pen which she pulled out from behind her ear after fumbling to find it. "Of course!" Roman grinned, leaning back and shifting into a comfortable position. "I wouldn't miss it for the world"

Freya merely sent him a grin and flicked through some notes, humming while in thought. Roman had been attending therapy sessions after his boyfriend, Virgil, suggested them to him. He also went to Freya and knew she was great at what she did, plus makes Virgil feel comfortable every single time. She has a way of discovering the truth even if it wasn't spoken and always, always helps in the end, even in tough situations. Plus she adores cartoons which Roman could get behind.

"So" she settled, becoming a little more serious. "We have established your childhood wasn't great, and is the main reason your later life is being affected" she recited and Roman nodded, sighing out dramatically. "What I would give for good parents"

Freya smiled, "don't let your childhood define you Ro, take Cinderella for instance! She was able to move on and marry the man of her dreams, even with a crooked step mother" she referenced then quickly carried on. "And this was mainly your parents doing, right?"

Roman nodded, flicking his hair from his eyes. "Unfortunately so! They neglected me so much I didn't exist to them" Freya shot him a sympathetic gaze, "but we've also come to terms with the fact it's not...just your parents" at the simple insinuation Roman was already tensing up, sitting straighter in his chair, suddenly not wanting to casually slump anymore. Freya noticed and jotted down some notes, chewing the back of her pen. "Logan, right?"

Roman looked off to the side, focused on the framed posters of sweet quotes from cartoons, their silhouetted characters above. "Must we mention him?"

"We'll need to, Ro, I know the basis of your animosity but I'll need more" she explained, feeling guilty for having to do this but it was important, she knew Roman's brother contributed to the pain he's stuck with now and she needed to get to the bottom of it. She knew they weren't friends, rarely spoke and certainly didn't grow up close. As if they were two magnets facing each other the wrong way - pushing apart until they couldn't reconnect.

"I know, I know" he murmured, glancing at his nails polished red. "I simply..." he drifted, letting out a long sigh. "I don't like him" he concluded and Freya nodded. "I see...like Squidward and Squilliam" she giggled softly, scribbling out a few more lines of notes. Roman smiled at her innocent comments, she always made him feel better.

"I have come across a few clients in the past with sibling trouble" Freya began to explain, leaning back in her chair and crossing one leg over the other. "And, I feel, the best way to tackle this for you...is if I get a story" Roman cocked an eyebrow curiously, "a story? Well I suppose I could make one-"

"No, no!" She interrupted, "I mean your story" she elaborated, "from beginning to end! The youngest age you can remember to the day you moved out - I know a bit but I don't know it all" Roman nodded slightly in understanding, he could do that, he's explained his childhood to a few other close friends before...he supposed he should go into more detail for Freya however, which wouldn't exactly be a problem, he'd be talking for awhile though (which, again, not a problem for him).

"And then, only if you're comfortable, I'll need to talk to Logan"

Roman grunted in disgust, "now, hang on Roman!" Freya wagged her finger, "you don't even have to see him! I can keep you separated like Nemo from his father! I only need his side of the story. Usually a different perspective is needed, for example they wouldn't take one witnesses word for it in court, right?" She explained and Roman sighed out, tilting his head back to stare at the tall, dark wooden ceiling. "I suppose but...that means I'll have to contact him" he pulled a face like a pouting child and Freya giggled, shrugging her shoulders lightly.

"You have people in your life Roman. Your partner has never met him, although I'm sure he doesn't like him...he wouldn't be as negatively affected if he shot him a text!"

"And if he doesn't even respond?"

Freya leaned close, grinning. "You don't like your brother, correct?"

He nodded. Freya slapped the table lightly as if that were the answer, "there you go!" She then scribbled down on her notebook while Roman stared at her in perplexity.

"I-what?"

She hummed, "huh? Oh! Silly me" leaning forward she explained; "if he doesn't respond you keep at it, text after text after text! I'm sure you wouldn't mind, you'd want to annoy him after all, yes?" She grinned when Roman's face crossed with contemplation and a little glee at the chance to piss off his hated brother. "Of course I do! Okay...I'll make sure he comes here, no matter what"

"Good!" Freya enthused, then leaned back, took a sip of water and readied her pen against paper. "Now, Roman, start from the beginning..." she encouraged and Roman nodded, clenching and unclenching his hands before relaxing them flat against the arms of the chair.

"Well, it all started when me and Logan were born" his face tightened at the name, "from the start he showed 'promise', learnt how to stack blocks faster than any other" he scoffed, "while I was left behind! Learning at the rate of any other baby, versus someone like my brother I was a failure, from an age where I only cared about food I was destined to be the mistake" Freya jotted down notes hurriedly, she was practically the best at copying shortened versions of notes from the board in classes during her school years so now she was practically perfect, not missing a single detail.

"He learnt to walk, talk, eat, use the toilet all before me! I was an idiot compared-"

"Roman" Freya cut him off, "let's look at it from a different angle" she always made sure her clients avoided self-depreciation, there was always an answer instead of the simple, 'stupid' insult. "Your parents must've favoured Logan, right?" Roman nodded meekly, "well...do you think if given the same attention and focus you would have been as good as Logan? Maybe even better?" Roman's head dropped shyly and Freya reached across the table, laying a hand across the edge.

"You're not an idiot Ro, you weren't and never will be. Would you call a baby an idiot simply because they learnt at different speeds?" Roman's mortification at the suggestion answered enough. "Carry on" she encouraged, leaning back. Roman murmured a slight apology but did as told.

"Okay, but my point still stands! Logan was 'perfect' and I was... me" licking his lips, Roman slowly continued, "we grew up to be complete opposites, while I was sticking pasta to paper he was solving math equations no other child his age could even comprehend! He was incredibly intelligent and I couldn't help but be jealous!" He exclaimed, throwing around his arms to wildly emphasise his words. "I desperately ventured for my parents pride but as a young child I was ignored and by the time I was a teenager all I was to them was a nuisance" he deflated and Freya interjected once copying everything down.

"Is this why being called annoying is so hard for you?" She caught the edge of her lip between her teeth, meeting up to catch Roman's gaze. "...yes" he admitted slowly, softly. "I hate it" he added and Freya nodded, tapping her pen against paper. "Carry on" she nodded and Roman did so.

"Before my fourteenth birthday I could barely sleep at night, hours I would spent trying to be better than my brother - once I realised I couldn't do math or science I indulged myself in English, reaching top of the class with my analysis and creative writing! But..." he faltered, slipping back down after reaching up, "English didn't matter to them, they never excelled in it themselves, I feel like it made them annoyed I was better" he frowned, "so I let it go, of course I was still good but...I-I moved onto music, I always had an interest in guitars and I practiced and practiced, the Christmas before my fourteenth I played them a song I can't remember now but they...they didn't even smile, just thanked me and moved on" he let out a humourless chuckle that pained Freya's heart, the hardest part about her job was seeing her clients hurt.

"I think that's why I stopped-I gave up. I went through a rebellious stage to gain their attention but after that didn't get me anywhere I decided to indulge in my own interests. I joined the drama club and worked my way up to perform on stage, due to my insecurities imbedded in me since birth, however, I could barely breathe for hours before the play. While on stage I come alive! I've been told.." he always had a hard time expressing the good qualities about him, whenever he did he was waiting for someone to counter it, to tell him he wasn't great at all, even if he was a wonderful actor.

"They never came, I invited them but...who cares, huh?" Rubbing a hand across his mouth he watched Freya leaned close, "I care" she murmured and Roman managed a real, genuine smile even if it was small. "Virgil cares" she added quietly, while she always referred to her client's friends or family members by their titles (e.g. mother, father, partner) she did rarely use their name when it would hold more meaning.

"What then?"

Roman sighed, "um...well, I finished school with grades I was proud of, obviously he had the highest marks in everything he did. Our parents were so proud they threw a celebration and I..." his voice wavered, eyes staring off to the side but not focused on anything. Freya shuffled closer once noticing the gleam of water shine over his eyes. "I wasn't invited" he whispered, "forced to stay in a hotel room so I wouldn't be a bother" he added just as quietly, Freya's grip tightened on the pen - she couldn't believe parents sometimes. Especially Roman's.

"I moved out quicker than Logan, was accepted into university with a scholarship and won award after award in the acting department. Said they hadn't had anyone as good as me for years, I often assumed they were being too kind...that was when I met Virgil! He worked behind the scenes and while we did argue at first we soon clicked! Became close until I realised I wanted to shower him with affection and serenade him with sweet words..." aka, he formed a crush on the student. "But my self-confidence didn't exist! I'm eternally grateful Virgil was courageous enough to ask. I was so shocked I didn't know what to say- why me? But he knew my past, knew my insecurities and made me feel so much...." Roman finally looked over at Freya, a smile slipping on his features. "Better"

Freya smiled too, "I'm glad, Roman. So then you..?"

"I graduated and moved onto acting in Hollywood! A dream come true. I haven't spoken to my family since but they have made a few comments about my acting career; they said they were proud" he managed, frown embedded on his face. "And it didn't bring me the happiness I thought it would. In fact I hated them for it, but I suppose nothing can be done about it" he sighed, "I never saw my brother since moving out and it's been..." he drifted, Freya finished for him.

"Six years"

Roman swallowed, "yeah..."

Freya finished writing her notes and flicked through them, slowly nodding her head. "And your life now?"

"Oh it's wonderful!" He suddenly lit up, "I've made so many close friends, none as close as Virgil...I met a man named Patton and Virgil adores him! He grew up without a father as you know so Patton's became a sort of dad-figure for him! They're so sweet together, Disney I want to hold them both close from the world and protect them forever, I love them so much" he changed dramatically from simply talking about the people close to him and Freya found that heart warming. "I also love De and Remus and Remy! Oh" he slumped back and sighed wistfully, "I love my life now...although my self confidence could be better, I'm getting there!" He threw up his arm and waved his fist to the sky, determined.

"You are, Roman. And I'm so happy for you" Freya encouraged, "so...if I may run through this again?" Roman nodded and Freya cleared her throat, gently swinging her legs back and forth. "Please tell me if I got anything wrong but...you grew up average while Logan was outstandingly intelligent, you tried for awhile to gain your parents approval/praise but gave up in the end...you were a bit of a rebel but it didn't last- then you moved onto acting and became the incredible actor you are today!" Roman blushed a little and waved his hand around, "Well, yes I am" he murmured sheepishly and Freya laughed. "No shame in self-love, Ro" she quickly moved on.

"Well I think I have everything I need! Now what I need from you" she set down her notebook and leaned forward, "I really feel I should talk to Logan, of course you can't force him to come here, he'd reject it like Elsa rejected Anna's marriage to Hans! But if you can...please, I think it will help you a lot, and help me have a clearer understanding" Roman sighed but nodded, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"I'll do it, trust me"

Freya smiled, "I do"

A few months passed, those months filled with continuous texts between Virgil and Logan, back and forth arguments that sometimes ended up on the phone. Roman would listen and read it all, but in the end they managed to make Logan crack. He finally agreed to one session if it would make them leave him alone, which they promised to do. Not a single word was passed between them again since and today Freya would finally meet the such-hated brother; Logan Kingsley.

Someone knocked on her office door, three rapid continuations. "Come in!" She called, leaning eagerly to catch a look of the in-famous brother. The door quickly opened and she rose her eyebrows at how different the two looked - for twins she expected something more...identical. He had sharp, closely chiselled features, with a strong jawline, prominent cheek bones and a thin, perfectly shaped nose. His eyes were cold and analytical - Freya liked him. He also wore very professional clothing for a simple therapy session.

"Logan Kingsley!" She stood up and shook his hand, "Freya Picani" he responded and she smiled wide, "it's lovely to meet you, please sit down Mr. Peabody!"

While sitting he gave her a confused look, she faltered. "You know, Mr. Peabody is smart- you're-..." she cleared her throat, "moving on!" She chirped, clasping her hands together. "You're here today because of your brother, yes?" Logan nodded and she quickly noted how he didn't react at all to his mention, unlike Roman who would recoil. "Unfortunately so. I do not need therapy, but I know I am only here to help him" he pushed up his glasses and Freya nodded slowly.

"Everyone could have a therapy session from time to time, Logan. Even the healthiest minds need a way to express" she countered but didn't indulge into that much, "anywho~ you are here to help Roman...he gave me a story about his childhood, how he grew up, how he was raised - details that I more or less knew"

"What did he say?" Logan asked, a little too quickly. Freya noted that down. "I'm sorry, Logan! But that's confidential. Now" Logan leaned back in his chair, disappointed. "I need your side of the story...would you be comfortable telling me how you were raised? Everything you can remember up to when you moved out?" Logan sighed, he hated recalling the past but... "if it will help Roman, sure"

Freya noted the difference between the two, obviously Logan didn't dislike Roman as much as Roman disliked him.

"Okay...begin!" She leaned back, staring at a blank new page. Logan shifted and clasped his hands on his lap. "My childhood was terrible" and Freya nearly choked; what? Well...she supposed every story had a different side. "I hated it and I avoid talking about it, but now it is necessary" he grumbled, "from an early age I remember being...praised, worshipped almost for my intelligence... and that, I think, is what ruined my life. My downfall you could say" he nudged his tie closer to his neck, staring out the window the same way Roman did, Freya smiled a little at that. Maybe they weren't so different.

"I can recall seeing Roman having fun in class, he always sat with the loudest students and no matter what I would hear his laughter. While he was sticking pasta to paper I was forced to improve my skills in math, something no other child had to do. I feel like it gave me an idea of who I should be from an early age, which damaged me quite a bit" Freya nodded subconsciously in agreement; that certainly would. "I never experienced the 'fun activities' other children were able to indulge in, I...often sat inside finishing work sheet after work sheet, assuming that was what I was destined to do. I thought I wasn't normal, I thought I was weird. It never sat well with me but I didn't grow up with much of a choice"

Freya frowned, "I can reassure you, Logan, you're not weird. But those teachers were cruel...continue?"

Logan nodded slightly, "at home Roman was left to his own devices. He could do whatever he wanted and I always envied him. I wanted to do the things he did, I wanted to excel in English, I wanted to possibly learn an instrument, draw like he could, spend time with friends but I was kept under a watchful eye. Between the praise and awards I never had time to be myself, I worked and worked and worked, studied until my hands were cramped but it was never enough, never enough" finally some emotion was showing; it was anger. Freya sat up straighter, intrigued and highly curious for more.

"I hated being top of the class, I hated being the nerd, I hated not having time for friends, or myself. I only discovered who I was in recent years and even now I am going through things I should have during my adolescence. I wanted to become close with Roman but he never liked me, I fear that is my fault...I wasn't the nicest simply because I was overworked so much. In my teenage years I was emotionless...yet could snap at the simplest of things" he sighed, knocking his glasses up his face.

"I finished school top of all my classes, went to the best university and finally found freedom...I did things in my spare time my parents never would have agreed to, I went through my 'rebellious' phase I suppose you could say...although I was never caught" Freya chuckled, "you were a rebellious ninja" she commented and Logan nodded slightly.

"I graduated university, obtained a PhD and now I work in a lab. I am very interested with chemistry, while I do enjoy my job I wish my childhood wasn't so work-centred. Maybe then I wouldn't feel so trapped" he expressed, lifting one leg to raise his ankle against his knee, leaning on his shin and propping his chin on his hand.

"And...when was the last time you spoke to your parents?"

"Six years ago" he answered, but backtracked. "Well, they spoke to me last weekend, I spoke to them the last time when I moved away. I can't stand them, they only love me for my intelligence. That took awhile to accept, Newton it hurt..." he whispered, Freya frowned, she should've realised Logan's life wouldn't be sunshine and rainbows - bad parents will always be bad, even if it's conducted differently onto each child.

"What about Roman?" Logan sighed, holding his face in his hands. "Six years ago" he seemed ashamed and Freya's heart clenched, finishing her notes on his story. "I know you cannot tell me much" Logan stopped her from talking but she didn't mind, their eyes met. "But please...is he okay?"

Freya smiled softly, "he's perfectly okay. His life is great, I promise" Logan seemed to relax the first time he entered, leaning back in his seat. She then stared down at her notes for a moment, wondering...wondering...

"Logan?"

"Yes?"

"Would you like to see Roman?"

He sat up, "really?"

Freya smiled, "I can try"

"No!" Roman denied, shaking his head hurriedly. "No, no, no!" He repeated, standing up and pacing across the office. Freya stayed sitting at her desk. "Roman, he wants to see you"

"To what!? To laugh in my face-? To-to brag about how smart he is and stu-..." he closed his eyes, "how smart he is?" Freya was proud he stopped the insult but that didn't mean he'd praise him in this moment, "not at all, Roman! You're jumping to conclusions more than the flea from a Monster in Paris!" She gestured to the seat and he collapsed into it, tapping his finger against the arm of the chair.

"Listen" she brought her chair closer to her desk, "I would only suggest you two to meet if I was one hundred plenty sure his intentions were pure. He doesn't want to hurt you, he just wants to see you. You don't have to make up, you two just have to talk. I think it'll open both of your eyes to the truth..you know how important communication is! If Miguel talked to his grandfather none of what happened would have happened! It would've been so much simpler, right?" Roman groaned but quietly agreed, still pouted though.

"Right.." Freya smiled, "you two can both come in this Friday, Logan already agreed" Roman chewed on his lip but slowly nodded his head. "Now, lets carry on with our session..."

The week passed by in agony, Roman hated every second, sometimes wishing he didn't agree, other times glad he did but wanting Friday to just hurry up! He explained everything to Virgil who was a little surprised but he trusted Freya's judgement - if the brothers need to talk than they need to talk. He wants what's best for Roman, for him to become better, happier with his life, and he has since talking to Freya! He hopes this'll work out, too, and if he comes home crying Virgil wouldn't hesitate to give Logan a black eye or two.

The drive over was tense, Roman was quite early but that was because he couldn't wait at home any longer. Now he sat in the parking lot debating whether or not to speed off and get an ice cream.

When he noticed a car pull up across from him he gasped, grabbed his things and fled towards the building - he knew that was Logan but couldn't face him yet, even if he knew he was only buying himself a few more minutes.

Rushing inside of Freya's office, he closed the door and sat down in the chair on the left, his stomach churning at the sight of two seats. The therapist looked up in surprise but smiled warmly at her client who winced and managed a slight smile in return, it was worried though.

"Everything will be fine" she reassured and went back to her work. The two minutes it took for Logan to enter felt like forever, but when Roman heard the door opening and saw Freya smile happily at the door, he knew there was no backing out now.

"Logan! Lovely to see you again, please sit, sit" she encouraged, gesturing to the chair. Roman pushed his to the side a little more, not exactly wanting to be close to his brother who stiffly took a seat, the two avoiding even glancing at each other in the corner of their eye. Freya looked between the two and smiled, setting aside some paper and bring out her notebook and pen.

"Beautiful weather outside" Freya noted, Logan nodded slightly. "Very" he agreed and Roman tensed, hearing that voice, that monotone robotic voice...he didn't think he'd ever hear it again. His eyes flickered to the side and he leaned further away when he saw his shoes; his fucking shoes. Wow he was being pathetic right now-

"Right" Freya smiled, "Logan, how are you doing?"

The man pushed up his glasses, one arm crossed over his chest. "I am fine...I am glad I was encouraged to come here. Talking about everything helped me understand I'm not...okay" he admitted and Freya beamed, "aw Logan! I'm so happy for you, that's great" she wrote a few things down, "now you're halfway there, and I - or anyone you want - will do our best to help"

Logan nodded, "thank you"

"And Roman? How are you?"

The man shrugged, picking at his nails. "I'm fine"

Freya chuckled, "I'll need more than that"

"I'm good, fine, great!" He responded and Freya hummed, "you seem a little tense..." she pointed out and he huffed, "well, yes! I wonder why" ignoring his hostility, she shot Logan a reassuring smile.

"Okay...Logan? May I go through a rundown of what you told me during our last session?" Her eyes sprung over to Roman and he realised she wanted permission for Roman to hear. He nodded, "yes, go ahead"

Freya shuffled through some notes and leaned back in her chair, "Well, let's begin!" Sitting up straight, she summarised everything she was told by Logan earlier that week. "So, from what I gathered...your childhood wasn't great" she started, Roman's head gently lifted, still keeping his eyes glued to the side but now they were less annoyed, more...surprised. Softer.

"Correct" Logan agreed, swallowing thickly.

"You were given too much attention by your parents; while everyone else could be a child you were forced to act older than you were..." she drifted, flicking over a page. "You were jealous of Roman because of the lack of attention he had; you felt like he could do anything while you were trapped, right?" Logan licked his lips and nodded, hands folded tightly between his legs.

Finally Roman had the courage to flick his eyes to his brother who gazed down at his legs with a distant look, Roman quickly returned to the floor but felt different about his brother; different about his childhood.

"You never had the chance to discover who you were and became hostile because of it, leading to snapping easily at close ones and not really bonding with anyone...while your parents were proud, I suppose you weren't?" Even if he didn't say it, that was exactly right.

"Yes, I...I rather disliked myself quite a lot" he admitted and Roman deflated, running a hand through his hair.

"That's not your fault, Logan. After you soon went to university where you were able to discover yourself? Even if you should have done a lot of that during...adolescence" she repeated what he had said and Logan nodded again, "yes, I...yes" he nodded and Freya softly played down her notebook, shifting some papers to the side.

"And now you're here...Roman?" The man looked up at her, "did you know any of this? Any of what Logan was going through?" He wobbled his bottom lip between his teeth and finally, finally looked over at his brother for longer than a second, and Logan sheepishly looked up to catch his gaze, which didn't really show much other than he was deep in thought.

"I didn't" he admitted, supposing Freya wanted him to continue the conversation more with Logan. "I assumed his life was great; and I wanted it so much, I was jealous over the attention, I wanted what he-..." he sighed, brushing his hair back. "I wanted what you had" he turned to his brother, "I wanted the praise; the-the...validation! I tried so hard when it came so easy for you, I guess...it wasn't all that great"

Logan shook his head, "it was wrong of them to not give you attention but their attention for me was conducted from selfish needs; they wanted a smart, brilliant child...they want someone who will be successful so they can point and say; 'we did that'..." he trailed off, glancing up at Freya for some help but she allowed the conversation to continue as it were.

"Disney, I...I didn't realise, I was so focused on myself I didn't even think! I thought you were living the life! A wonderful life while I was left in the shadows...but, Logan, please do not be jealous of me! I had it tough too, being ignored, insulted, forgotten...it ruined my self-confidence, I could barely look at myself without wondering why I wasn't good enough, please..." he closed his eyes for a moment, "please do not be jealous of me, I can see now that neither of us grew up with ideal lives and I'm..." he looked at Freya who nodded, "I'm sorry, sorry for thinking as such, sorry for not talking to you" he apologised with such meaning, so sincerely Logan felt his heart melt.

"I am sorry too, I wish I weren't so mean; hostile" he referred to his teenage years, "we barely spoke yet we're twins. We should be close, right?"

Roman managed a slight smile, "yes, we should...it'll take awhile but the more I think about it, the more becoming your friend, becoming close with you sounds appealing and I hope you desire it as much as I"

Logan leaned closer to Roman from his chair, "I do, Roman, I really do...I have wanted to be close with you but I never really knew how"

Freya beamed from where she sat, she couldn't believe it was going so well but it made her so happy!

"You two!" She gushed, "as cute as Anna and Elsa..." she chuckled, "and yes, with enough time you two will be as close as can be - I'm sure of it! And, word of advice?" The two men nodded, "don't let your parents come between you two again, they were the reason you two were separated in the first place"

The men nodded and looked at each other with small, awkward smiles. They'd make this work, with the help of Roman's friends...they did make it work. And after they became Logan's friends too his life improved just as much as Roman's did - especially when he became close with Patton.

He loved his brother and Roman loved him; they'd never let anything come between them again.

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Ooooop

1:30am