3:07am

My friend who BETTER come down here soon gave me this idea

Au
—

It was the day of prom at Roman and Virgil's school, a party bigger than anyone expected - most of the year had arrived and were currently dancing around while listening to songs from their childhood that teachers still think are 'in' (and are definitely not) but serve as a great nostalgia so of course they would celebrate the moment now instead of complaining or trying to change anything.

Roman and a few other of the more confident students were up on the stage at one end of the room, dancing with one another much more wildly than anyone on the actual dance floor but none of them cared - they were all smiling, laughing, having the time of their lives surrounded by people they might never see again.

The teachers who stood against the walls at the edge of the room sipped from their punch, finding Roman and his friends to be very amusing, so much so they all laughed along with the students who were watching.

And then they began to sing as soon as the chorus started which started a domino affect, quickly the entire room was filled with singing that wasn't the greatest but was the loudest and happiest which was all that really mattered to them.

Once the slower music began to start up and Roman felt like he might collapse he jumped off the stage and allowed a few other people to take over, quickly gulping down a drink from the stand before pushing his way through the crowd as politely as he could. He knew a certain someone was here (probably outside the room due to their anxiety) and he wanted-well, needed to do something he promised he'd do the first year they arrived to this school.

Leaving the room, the music suddenly became muffled which gave an almost eerie, mysterious feeling. He wasn't apart of the party anymore.

Walking down the hallway he glanced down both exits, the left held nothing while the right led to the exact person he was looking for. At the end of the hallway held a doorway which led out to a balcony which was almost always locked throughout the day because of safety reasons. Roman was sure a student would fall while messing around with their friends if it weren't.

He opened the doors once he reached them, disturbing the anxious boy who flinched from where he leaned on the railing, thinking it was a teacher but not at all relaxing when he saw Roman. Now he wished it was a teacher.

"What do you want?" Virgil grumbled irritably. He didn't know why he came to prom, parties were not his thing, he has hated every single party he had ever been to but here he was! After being persuaded to come by his friend Patton who went off with his date (Logan) to dance to the music. Virgil quickly left after that due to the crowds and being alone. A combination he despised with every fibre of his being.

"I need to fulfil a promise" Roman responded to the boy he wasn't too keen on either but he holds himself to the standard of keeping promises. He hasn't broken a promise yet and doesn't plan to do it any time soon.

"What the fuck do you mean? Why does it involve me?" He asked with a scrunched up face, a glare in his eyes. Roman sighed knowing he probably forgot. It was many years ago after all.

"A few months after becoming friends we were making small promises about hugs - we made one for the first school break that year, on thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, New Years...and then I said prom" Roman explained and now Virgil recalled, the memory of him and Roman's younger selves sitting in Roman's room, making promises Virgil never thought he would even remember.

They did hug on those specific dates, they made a few more for the years to come but stopped when they fell out and became...hateful towards each other. Bitter, cynical remarks would fly out their mouths without hesitance whenever they spotted each other. It was toxic and they both hated it but they also didn't think the other would stop so they continued.

"So, you'll just have to get over it" Roman shrugged. Virgil didn't have time to do anything before Roman was closing the space between them with a few short steps, his arms instantly finding their way around his middle (where he always hugged him by) and his head resting on his shoulder. Virgil tensed every muscle he could and more, breathing halting, wide eyes staring into the distance behind the student who was currently hugging him.

He didn't have time to hug back before Roman was pulling away but a sudden impulsive did not let him leave. Quickly Virgil's arms flung up and dragged Roman back towards him tightly, clutching the back of his shirt so tight he thought it might rip, squeezing his arms around his torso he wondered if he could still breathe but he wasn't complaining. Roman merely hugged back again, tighter than before, bottom half of his face hidden in the clothing across Virgil's shoulder.

And they stayed there for what seemed like forever. In the nice breeze of the cool air, the moon shining on them from above, lighting up the space surrounding them. They didn't speak for they didn't need to. The hug said it all. Their rivalry was over.

And when they both slowly drew back, Roman let out a quiet short chuckle, gazing at Virgil a little timidly, receiving the same look from him.

"That was..." Roman cleared his throat. "Nice, it was...nice" he settled on and Virgil nodded, taking another step back.

"Yeah-uh-yeah..nice" he agreed and the awkward tension didn't exactly help the situation.

"So-uh..see you around-" Virgil tried but Roman called out to him. Virgil turned around from the doors to see what he wanted.

"I..promise to hug you..uh-tomorrow" and Virgil found himself smiling slightly.

"I'll hold that too you, Ro"

Roman grinned. "Have I ever broken a promise yet?"

Virgil shrugged, he couldn't deny it, but as he tried to recall a moment where he broke a promise a new thought sprung to mind.

"If you're so good at keeping promises, try and keep this one" he challenged and Roman seemed eager to hear it. "Do you promise to keep this...friendship going without letting us hate each other again?"

Roman grin fell into a softer, more genuine smile. "I promise" he agreed, voice gentle to match the serenity of the moment.

"Good" Virgil concluded, turning to the doorway again but he didn't leave just yet. "I'm..sorry" he murmured quietly.

"I'm sorry too" Roman replied.

Virgil met his gaze one last time, then with a burst of confidence leaned over and pressed a short kiss to his cheek - one that was barely event there.

"See you tomorrow, Princey" he murmured before rushing down the hallway, cheeks burning red.

Roman was frozen to the spot, the tips of his fingers grazing his cheek until a side smile lifted his entire face.

And see him tomorrow he certainly did.

—
I'm. So. Tired.

Sleep schedule? Who's she?

3:36am